Ruth A. Ceroll

Ruth A. Ceroll, age 66, of Sisseton, S.D, formerly of rural New Effington, S.D., passed away Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009, with her children around her, at the Countryside Inn Assisted Living, Rosholt, S.D.         Funeral services were Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009, at 2:00 p.m. in Zion Lutheran Church, rural Claire City, S.D., with Pastor Douglas Wanderer officiating. Organist was Edwin Arndt Jr. and vocalist was Aaron Deutsch. Pallbearers were Jon and Leo Greseth, Sam and Clint Arndt, Rory Ceroll and Paul Bartnick. Honorary pallbearers were her six grandchildren, and a special foreign exchange grandson, Ron Geitzelt of Germany; friends from the six pack - Joann Wollan, Barb Kallstrom, Agnes Finnesand, Karen Edlund and Karolyn Ahrens; and her fellow floral designers and coworkers from the Sisseton Flower Shop. Burial was in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery.         Visitation was Monday, Oct. 26, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. all at the Eggers Funeral Home of Rosholt, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.         Ruth Annabelle Ceroll was born April 22, 1943 in Graceville, Minn. to Rudolph and Alice (Schneider) Schmitz. She was baptized in the Christian faith at Parnell Lutheran Church, rural Wheaton and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church, rural Claire City. As a youngster she grew up along the Minnesota side of Lake Traverse on Spafford Beach. In 1955, the family moved to a farm northeast of Claire City and she graduated in 1961 from New Effington High School.     On November 28, 1970, she was united in marriage to Frederick Ceroll at Zion Lutheran Church. The couple made their home on the Ceroll Homestead, also northeast of Claire City, and raised their family there. Fritz passed away September 24, 1994. In the fall of 1994, Ruth moved to Sisseton. She worked as a floral designer for over 30 years in various flower shops in the area, including Sisseton and Hankinson, N.D. and most recently for the Sisseton Chamber of Commerce. She also worked for the Northeast South Dakota Community Action Program. She was a very active member of Zion Lutheran Church and its Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML).         Family and friends were an important part of Ruth's life. She especially enjoyed laughing and playing games with her grandchildren. There was always time for a good game of whist. She enjoyed crocheting, painting, doing crafts, traveling and loved flowers.         Saddened to see her leave are her three children, Shauna and Bryon Kuglin of Minnetonka, Minn., Calvin Ceroll of Rosholt and Rodney and Angie Ceroll of rural New Effington; six grandchildren - "her beautiful girls" Alison and Krista Kuglin and "precious little boys" Dawson, Emery, Riley and Lewis Ceroll; a sister, Pat and Tom Greseth of rural Veblen; a brother, Scott and Allison Schmitz of Aberdeen, S.D.; an uncle, Wilbert "Sonny" and Margaret Schneider of Wheaton, Minn.; and many other family members and friends.         Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Frederick; parents, Rudy and Alice Schmitz; and two infant siblings.         The Impact of One Life: When a stone is dropped into a lake, it quickly disappears from sight; but its impact leaves behind a series of ripples that broaden and reach across the water. In the same way, the impact of one life lived for Christ will leave behind an influence for good that will reach the lives of many others. ~Roy Lessin