Ruth Taylor

RUTH ELLEN TAYLOR , age 88 of Elysian died on Saturday, August 17, 2013 at her home where she lived for the past 70 years.

Born on June 27, 1925 in Elysian, Minnesota she was the daughter of William and Anna (Daggett) Wilcox.  She attended school in Elysian before graduating as salutatorian of her class at Waterville High School.  Ruth married Keith Taylor on September 4, 1943 at the Methodist parsonage in Waterville.  After getting married, she helped Keith on the farm and worked as a waitress at Evie’s Café in Elysian.  She was later secretary at the Waterville-Elysian schools for 26 years.  Ruth enjoyed family events, following MN professional sports, canning, and was always remembering people by sending cards.  Ruth was a member of the Elysian United Methodist Church where she had been church secretary and was a volunteer with the food shelf.

She is survived by one son, Dean (Kathy) Taylor of Sartell; one daughter, Jackie (David) Judd of Waterville; four grandchildren, Steve (Michele) Taylor, Kristi (Todd) Steil, Patrick (Karissa) Judd, and Katie (Ryan) Landrum; and 11 great  grandchildren, Brittany, Ali, and Megan Taylor, Sam, Jack and Will Steil, Daelyn, Kaedyn, and Paetyn Judd, and Taylor and Clare Landrum.  She is also survived by one brother-in-law, Earle (Betty Jane) Taylor of Elysian.  She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; three sisters, Ursula (Jack) Pulver, Florence (John) Kapaun, and Mary (Harold) Kennedy; and two brothers, Norbert “Bud” (Irene) Wilcox and Willard “Bill” (Kathryn) Wilcox.

Visitation will be held at Dennis Funeral & Cremation Services in Waterville on Monday, August 19, 2013 from 4-7 PM.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, August 20, 2013 at 10:30 AM at the United Methodist Church in Elysian with Rev. Bescye Burnett officiating.  Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Elysian.