Ruth Marie (Nelson) Allen, 93, of Austin, Minn., died on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2013, at St. Marks Lutheran Home.

Ruth was born March 9, 1920, in Myrtle, Minn., to Harry and Minnie (Swanson) Nelson. She attended the Country School of Freeborn County. On Aug. 25, 1942, she married Harold (Dick) Allen at the Hayward Lutheran Church. Ruth lived in or near London, Minn., for most of her life. In 1957, she and the family moved to Austin. Ruth spent time caring for her three children, enjoying her grandchildren, working as a nurse’s aid caring for the elderly in their homes, working at Gambles, cooking at the Alcove, Austin Country Club and Tolly’s. Ruth later volunteered for the Chamber of Commerce and drove people to appointments. She enjoyed helping others, going to garage sales, traveling and being with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and lately having her great great grandkids visit her at St. Marks. Being Norwegian, she made lefse, flatbrod, and krumkake.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Harold (Dick) Allen; her parents, Harry and Minnie Nelson; brother, Harold Nelson; and sister-in-law, Janeth Nelson; her sister-in-law and husband, Mavis and Leonard Billedeau; her brother-in-law and wife, Lewis and Gladys Allen.

Ruth is survived by her children: Sharon Schmeling (Tim Anderson), of Austin; John F. Allen, of Schroeder, Minn.; Bonnie Moen (Allison), of Plover, Wis.; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren; and nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 2, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church with the Reverend Karen Behling officiating. Interment will be at Woodbury Cemetery. Visitation will be at the church from 12:30 p.m. until the time of the service Thursday. Clasen-Jordan Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to a charity of the donor’s choice.