Ruth P. Casanova

Ruth P. Casanova, 92 of Aberdeen, SD passed away Thursday, January 27, 2022, at Bethesda Home of Aberdeen.

Memorial Service is 11:00 am, Thursday, February 3, 2022, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Aberdeen with Pastor Jeff Whillock officiating.  A time of fellowship and luncheon will follow the services at the church fellowship hall. Masks are not required but are highly encouraged.

Ruth’s wishes were to be cremated and burial will be held at Riverside Memorial Park at a later date.

Visitation is 5-7 pm, Wednesday, February 2, 2022, at Schriver’s Funeral Home with a prayer service at 7 pm.  Visitation continues one hour before the service at the church on Thursday.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen is in charge of arrangements.  Family and friends may sign the online guestbook and view the service at www.schriversmemorial.com.

Ruth P. Gunderson was born August 22, 1929, in Aberdeen, SD to Guy and Millie (Erickson) Gunderson.  She was born and raised in Aberdeen and graduated from Aberdeen Central High School.  Ruth was employed at Sherwin Williams during high school.

Ruth met the love of her life, George R. Casanova, and they were married in Aberdeen on October 12, 1947.  Together they had six sons: Steve, Chuck, Tom, Dan, James, and Jeff.  Later, Ruth worked at St. Luke’s Hospital, Dakota Midland Hospital, and St. Luke’s Pharmacy.  After she retired, she volunteered at St. Luke’s for many years.

Ruth was very active in many church and civic organizations in and around Aberdeen.  She was involved in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Ladies’ Aid Circle, Choir, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Martha Circle and Prayer Shawl Ministry.  She was also active in the PTA at Lincoln Elementary School, Women’s Relief Corp, Cub Scouts as a Den Mother, Sons of Norway, and the WWII Pheasant Canteen.  She volunteered doing hair care at Manor Care, judged home arts and enjoyed meeting the entertainers at the Brown County Fair, and was a supporter of Pheasants Forever.  In 2005 Ruth was named First Lady of Aberdeen.

Along with all her civic involvements, Ruth loved to sew and knit; she had seven different sewing machines!  She also spent a lot of time baking.  Her specialties were Scandinavian almond cake, rice pudding, Texas sheet cake, chocolate chip cookies, and many more!

Grateful for having shared Ruth’s life are her husband, George, children Steve (Pat) Casanova of Aberdeen, Chuck (Robin) Casanova of Omaha, NE, Dan (Karla) Casanova of Rapid City, SD, and Jeff (Paula) Casanova of Aberdeen, nine grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren.

Ruth was preceded in death by her two sons Tom and James, her parents, her siblings: Russell Alexander, Bea Goulette, Clarice Elwood-Geersen, Elaine Roth, Jeanne Dingman, Stan Gunderson, and Gloria Hartzell.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Aberdeen, SD.