Ruth L. Hovland, 97, of Shakopee, Minnesota, formerly of Austin, Minnesota, died Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, at St. Gertrude’s Health and Rehabilitation Center in Shakopee.

Ruth was born Nov. 13, 1919, in Northwood, Iowa, to Laur and Emma (Jensen) Spilde. Ruth was a graduate of Albert Lea (Minnesota) High School. On March 22, 1941, she was united in marriage to Emery G. Hovland at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Ruth and Emery resided in Austin where they raised their four children. Emery passed away in October 2005, and in 2010, Ruth moved to Shakopee to be near her children. She was a longtime member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin where she was an active circle member. She was also a lifetime member of the DAV Auxiliary.

Ruth is survived by her children, Gary (Carol) Hovland of Farmington, Minnesota, Janice Godfrey of Bloomington, Minnesota, Jane (Steve) Clay of Shakopee, and Ronald (Katey) Hovland of Rockford, Minnesota; by nine grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and three nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Emery; son-in-law, James Godfrey; sisters, Irene and Alice; brothers, Roger, Richard, and Orville; and great-grandchild Baby Boy Spanier.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2017, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin with Pastor Mark Niethammer officiating. Interment will follow at Grandview Cemetery in Austin. Visitation will be held on Thursday morning for one hour prior to services, from 10 to 11 a.m. at church.   Memorials in Ruth’s memory may be directed to St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin. Services prearranged and performed by Worlein Funeral Home of Austin.  Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.