The Graveside Memorial Service for Ruth Ensign Kelley, age 86 of Bismarck, formerly of Hettinger, will be held at 2:00pm MT on Saturday, May 16, 2015 at the Hettinger Cemetery with Pastor Kathleen Dettmann, officiating.

Ruth Schreiner Ensign Kelley passed Dec. 28th, 2014 at her residence at St. Gabriel's Community in Bismarck, ND where she had lived since May, 2011.

She was born on March 11, 1928 in Heil, ND and moved to Hettinger with her parents in 1937. She graduated from Hettinger HS in 1946.

Ruth met Rolland Earl Ensign soon after he returned from the World War II European Theatre. They were married on June 22, 1947 and moved to Kirksville, MO that fall where Rolland attended Kirksville Osteopathic Collage of Medicine. They moved to Michigan where their children were raised and educated and Rolland practiced medicine.

In 1980 Ruth and Rolland moved to Waco, TX. There Ruth found much joy in studying Voice Performance. She sang in church choirs beginning in High School and for most of her adult life.

In addition to studying music, she achieved an associate degree as a Medical Transcriptionist.

After her husband passed in 1988 she returned to Bismarck to be near family. She said many times "It is so good to be back home. It is so peaceful here".

Ruth married Tom Kelley on Feb. 20, 2006 in a ceremony held at the Waterford Assisted Living Chapel where all the residents were present. This was the first time a wedding had been held there. Tom preceded Ruth in death in November, 2009.

In May of 2011 Ruth moved to St. Gabriel's Community until her passing December 28th.

She is survived by 4 children: Lonney Ensign (Della), Seneca, SC; Rick Ensign (Anna Marie), San Pablo, CA; Todd Ensign (Jackie), Morehead City, NC; Jill Hunger (Steve), Lodi, WI; 6 Grandchildren and 3 Great Grandchildren. One sister, June Melling Hettinger, ND.