Ruth Lillejord

GLENDIVE, MONTANA: Ruth M. Lillejord, age 81, of Glendive, passed away after a long battle with Alzheimer's on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at the Glendive Medical Center Extended Care in Glendive. Visitation will be held from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 and from 9:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 in the chapel of the Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home in Glendive. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at the chapel of the Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home in Glendive with Reverend Avis Anderson officiating. Interment will follow in the Dawson Memorial Cemetery in Glendive. Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with the arrangements.. Ruth was born on August 12, 1928 in Miller, South Dakota, the daughter of George C. and Addie B. (Gamble) Johnson. As a young girl growing up in Belle Fourche, South Dakota, Ruth was involved in many student academic and athletic activities. She played clarinet in the "A" Band, sang in the church and school choir, was a cheerleader, student council secretary, assistant editor of The Bronc year book, and girl scout camp counselor. Ruth graduated from Belle Fourche High School in 1946 as one of the top ten seniors for outstanding scholastic work. Ruth attended Yankton College in South Dakota, and while cheerleading for the YC Greyhounds, met Henry "Hank" Lillejord. The two united in marriage at the First Congregational Church in Belle Fourche, South Dakota on July 31, 1949. In August 1950, Hank and Ruth bought a shoe store in Nebraska. Their time in Nebraska was brief though as Hank was recalled to active duty at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in December. In January 1951, Ruth was employed as the personal secretary for the Chief of the Department of the Army's Civilian Personnel Office until Hank was honorably discharged from the Army in December 1952. After his exit from the Army, Hank and Ruth moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota where they started their family. Hank worked for Midland Bank and Ruth for Reid H. Ray Film Industries, Inc. In 1958, they moved to Glendive along with their first two children, Bruce and Jane. Two years after arriving in Glendive, they welcomed their third child, Dale. Hank was the President of the Exchange State Bank, later known as the First Security Bank, and Ruth focused on raising their three children and enjoying several hobbies. Her favorite was working with ceramics, creating beautiful figurines and decorations for every holiday and season. She was an accomplished golfer winning several women's club championships and several couples tournaments partnered with Hank at the Cottonwood Country Club. Ruth enrolled in classes at Dawson Community College and, after brushing up on her shorthand skills, found employment as a legal secretary for Simonton Law Office and retired as the bookkeeper for B & H Welding & Machine, Inc. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Hank, and one brother. Survivors include two sons, Bruce Lillejord and his wife Renee of Cheyenne, Wyoming and Dale Lillejord of Bozeman, Montana; one daughter, Jane Lillejord of Redondo Beach, California; one grandson, Jordan Boren of Round Rock, Texas; one niece Denise Weir, Twin Cities, Minnesota. Remembrances and Condolences may be shared with the family at www.silvernale-silhafuneralhome.com.

Ruth Lillejord

August 12, 1928 - January 13, 2010

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Ruth Lillejord

August 12, 1928 - January 13, 2010

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support