Ruth Elaine Hartman

Ruth Elaine Hartman 71 of Ellendale, ND was born to Gabriel and Alice (Larson) Eckroth in Mandan, North Dakota on October 1, 1944. Ruth was raised in Mandan where she attended school until her senior year. She then spent a year with her cousins in South San Gabriel, California where she went on to graduate from Mark Kepple High School in 1963. To that point, she said it was the best year of her life! She then attended UND, Ellendale Branch where she met her husband (while babysitting for his nephew, Jeff). She was married to Orlin Hartman at the Evangelical United Brethren church in Ellendale on June 19, 1964. They resided on the farm until their children were in elementary school, and then moved to Ellendale. In 1989 they built a new home on the family farm, and returned to living on the farm where she most enjoyed life. She loved camping and enjoyed being involved in her community, joining the Jaycee-ettes, teaching Sunday school, and bible school. She raised the girls while helping Orlin on the family farm for many years until taking a teaching position at the Ellendale Cooperative Nursery School. She attended every track meet, basketball game, and concert that their children participated in. After the girls were in college and she retired from teaching, she became very active in her hobby and passion for crafting, consigning many items at Jellybean Junction on Main Street in Ellendale. She then went on to purchase the business and ran it until her health would no longer allow. In retirement she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, spoiling them with shopping, candy, and her affection. She enjoyed watching them participate in elementary programs and high school activities. In the past year, as her health took a turn for the worse, she resided at Manor Care Nursing Home in Fargo, ND where she was able to receive care she needed, and spend more time with her daughter Becky, and grandchildren. Ruth died peacefully while surrounded by family and friends at the Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND on September 21, 2016. Grateful to have shared in her life are her husband: Orlin Hartman; three daughters: Amy Hartman of Aberdeen, SD, Vicky (Jeff) Roehl of Ellendale, ND, and Becky (Clete) Smith of Morehead, MN; eight grandchildren: Madison, Morgan, Sydney, Jed, and Abi Smith; Austin, Megan, and Griffin Roehl; one sister: Margaret (Henry) Lebak of Bismarck, ND; one sister-in-law: Mavis Buchholz of Fargo, ND; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her infant son: Bryan Keith Hartman; her parents: Alice and Gabriel Eckroth; two sisters: Jean Heinert and Sister Mary Alice Eckroth, OSB; and her brother-in-law: Richard Heinert. The funeral is 10am Monday at Presbyterian United Methodist Church, Ellendale with Pastor Paul Henschen officiating. Visitation is 2-8pm Sunday with a prayer service at 7pm all at Hoven Funeral Chapel, Ellendale. Visitation continues one hour prior to services at the church. Burial is at Ellendale City Cemetery. Arrangements by Hoven Funeral Chapel, Ellendale.