Ruth Schwichtenberg Nyquist

Ruth Schwichtenberg Nyquist, 104 years of age, left this earthly life on Sunday, April 23, 2023 at Oak Terrace in North Mankato in the presence of her family.

Ruth was born in Scottsbluff, Nebraska on April 13, 1919. She attended school and lived in Mitchell, Nebraska. In 1929 she moved to Waterville, Minnesota with siblings Elmer Lamont, Delia Lamont, Rodney Lamont and parents Opal (nee Case) and Lyle Lamont. Two siblings, Iris and Gene Lamont were born after they moved to Waterville. They lived on a farm east of Waterville and Ruth attended a one room country school through eighth grade. She was the homecoming queen of 1936 and the last surviving member of the Waterville High School class of 1937.

On September 28, 1937, Ruth married Paul Schwichtenberg at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waterville. They farmed with Paul’s parents, William and Martha Schwichtenberg on a farm near Horseshoe Lake. Four children were born while they lived on the farm: Donovan, Dennis, Leon and Neila.

In 1946 Paul took a job with Commander Elevator and they moved from the farm into Waterville. In 1951 they moved to St. Clair where Paul managed the Commander Elevator. While in St. Clair Ruth worked part time for Commander Elevator, Hunter Produce and Birdseye.

In 1962 Paul suddenly died. Ruth enrolled and graduated from the Licensed Practical Nursing Program at St. Joseph’s Hospital in 1963. She worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse at St. Joseph’s before taking a job as a nurse/receptionist for Dr. Niles Batdorf in Mankato. She worked for Dr. Batdorf for eighteen years before her retirement.

On November 23, 1966 Ruth married Dean Nyquist of St. Clair. They enjoyed dancing, fishing, traveling and delivering meals for Meals on Wheels. They built a new home in St. Clair and enjoyed many years together before Dean died suddenly in 2001. Ruth was a member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in St. Clair for over 70 years and an active participant in the Ladies Aide Society for many of those years. She also volunteered for the Red Cross and the Election Board.

Ruth loved to knit, crochet, decoupage, read, play cards and work on crossword puzzles. Family was very important to Ruth. She was a great cook and provided family dinners for many of the major holidays. She especially loved to have the grandchildren visit.

At the age of 95 and because of failing eyesight and hearing difficulty she gave up driving and sold her house in St. Clair. She moved to Oak Terrace Senior Living in North Mankato and enjoyed meeting new friends. She was an avid follower of the Twins and Vikings and her special weekly event was watching Lawrence Welk reruns.

She is survived by sons, Donovan (Myrna) Schwichtenberg of Edina, Dennis Schwichtenberg of Fairmont, Leon (Marlene) Schwichtenberg of Bloomington; stepdaughters, Mary (David) Schenk of Owatonna, Judy (Richard) Winter of Janesville; sister, Iris (Richard) Reddeman of North Mankato; sisters-in-law, Jeanette Drake and Irene Lamont; seven grandchildren; 6 step-grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents; both husbands; infant daughter; grandson, Corey Schwichtenberg; daughter-in-law, Jeanne Schwichtenberg; brothers, Elmer, Rodney and Gene Lamont; sister, Delia Montan; and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Ruth’s funeral is at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in St. Clair on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at 11:00 AM. Visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial at Sakatah Cemetery in Waterville.

Memorials preferred to St. John’s Evangelical Church, Ladies Aide Society, or designation of your choice.