Ruth Marie Fry, 81, of Austin, Minnesota, died Thursday, May 25, 2017, at Mayo Clinic Health System – Austin.

Ruth was born in Nordland Township, Lyon County, Minneota, Minnesota, on Feb. 21, 1936, to Bjorn (Melvin) and Virginia (Appleby) Benson. She attended school in Minneota, where she graduated from Minneota High School.

On Nov. 28, 1953, she married Virgil Fry at St. Eloi Catholic Church in Ghent, Minnesota. The couple then moved to Austin.

Ruth was a homemaker and a secretary for Vogel Outdoor for a number of years. She enjoyed spending time with family, playing cards with friends, trips to casinos, crocheting afghans for gifts and going to coffee with her coffee group.

Ruth is survived by her son, Steve (Pam) Fry, Elysian, Minnesota; daughter, Kathy (Robert) Horstman, Shellknob, Missouri; grandchildren, Christina (Dustin) Crooks, Bobbie (Brett) Clark, Bethanie (Todd) Lange, John Horstman, Brian (Jessica) Fry, and Daniel Fry; nine great-grandchildren; one sister-in-law; two brothers-in-law; and many nieces and nephews.

Ruth is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Virgil; brothers, Willard and Harold Benson; and sisters Margaret Nord and Alice Glasser

A funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 31, 2017, at St. Augustine Catholic Church with Father Jim Steffes officiating. Friends may call one hour before the service at the church on Wednesday. Interment will be in Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Mayer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be left online atwww.mayerfh.com