Funeral services for Ruth L. Akers, 83, a child of God, will be Saturday, November 14th, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. at the Hettinger Lutheran Church in Hettinger. Rev. Kathleen Dettmann will officiate and burial will follow at the Lodgepole Cemetery near Lodgepole, SD. Special music will be provided by Todd Buer. Visitations will be from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13th, 2009 at the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Hettinger and one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday morning.

RUTH LORETTA AKERS was born in Spearfish, SD on March 10, 1926 to John Frank and Minnie Ellen (Smithey) Akers. She attended grade school at the old Cash School and attended Bison High School. Ruth's college years were spent in Aberdeen at Northern State Teacher's College receiving a BS in Music Education. Ruth continued attending class working towards a Masters Degree.


After college, Ruth came home to take care of her ailing parents and maintain the family home. She enjoyed family get-togethers and would often host hymn sings in her home for the neighbors.


Ruth taught music lessons to area children for many years. Her annual recitals were a great success. Her students enjoyed the awards and lunch. She also taught music classes in the Bison Public School.


Her artistic endeavors included sketching, painting in various styles and mediums as well as a variety of crafts. She completed numerous quilts that were used at home and sent to the mission field, yet she did not consider herself a seamstress. Ruth liked color, so most of her projects displayed a vibrant array of color.


Ruth was active in Perkins County Extension. She was a member of the Scotch Cap Belles and the Grand River Extension Club where she held local and state offices. She was also active in Farm Bureau, Lodgepole Ladies Aide and was an active member of the Lodgepole Lutheran Church where she served as pianist for 40 years.


Gardening was also a hobby of Ruth's. She enjoyed watching her plants and flowers grow. During the summer she was always working in her yard. She enjoyed mowing grass. She would display bouquets of wild and domestic flowers in her home, but above all, Ruth was very devoted to her family.

Ruth will be greatly missed by her sister, Ruby (Eddie) Richter, Portales, NM and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Minnie (Smithey) Akers, her brothers, John Akers, Jr. and Ollie (Grace) Akers and a sister, Flavia (Fred) Burrer.