Martha Marie (Mayer) Ruff, 91, formerly of Medina and Jamestown, ND died Sunday, December 15, 2019.

Martha was born February 20, 1928 to Emil and Elisabeth (Moser) Mayer of Medina, ND. Martha grew up in a family of 7 children in Stutsman County and attended the local school. Martha married Vern Ruff on August 5, 1947; together they had 4 children.

Martha loved to sew, crochet and made many quilts. In recent years it was becoming harder for her to do these because she was losing her eye site. Martha’s most favorite pastime was to sing. She sang with the German singers out of Jamestown for many years before moving to MN. At the time of her passing she was involved in two singing groups at her nursing facility. She and Vern lived in the Grand Rapids, MN area for several years, then moved to Pillager, MN in 1962. After she and Vern divorced, she moved back to Medina, ND where she had the privilege of taking care of her parents until their deaths. Years later she moved to Jamestown and lived with her brother Paul until his death. In 2010 she came to Wilmar, MN and lived in her own apartment until the fall of 2015 when she moved into assisted living. As Martha’s Alzheimer’s disease and her congestive heart failure progressed into November 2018, she moved into Bethesda Nursing Home in Wilmer where she lived until her death.

Martha is survived by her 2 daughters, Pauline (Leon) Carlson, Wilmer, MN and Barbara Snetsinger, Elk River, MN; 1 son, LeRoy (Debi) Ruff, Nashwauk, MN; 1 brother, Eugene (Romana) Mayer and 2 brothers-in-law, Harry and Walter Ruff; 9 grandsons, Kelly (Debi) Carlson, Christopher (Michelle) Carlson, Joseph (Laura) Ruff, Kenny and Mitchell Ruff, Aaron Staydohar, Leo (Jennifer Smith) Snetsinger, Donovan (Lisa) Snetsinger, Adam (Jeanine) Ruff and 2 granddaughters, Christina (Michael) McGarity and Heather Staydohar; 22 great-grandchildren, (Kelly) Courtney, Sydney & Kaitlyn Carlson, (Chris) Marie, Shawn & Tara Carlson, (Joey) Tyler Ruff, (Aaron) Olivia, Isabella, Santina and Savennah Staydohar, (Heather) Adison and Austin Staydohar, (Donovan) Reese, Tanner and Devin Snetsinger, (Adam) Aries & Talis Ruff; step-daughter, Kayla, (Christina) Grant and Gaston McGarity; 2 great great-grandchildren, (Marie) Gavin and Adrianna; another great-great grandchild due Aug. 7th; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, 1 son Milton Ruff; brothers, Paul (Martha) Mayer, Willie (Erma) Mayer, Eddie (Doris) Mayer; sister, Clara (Ernie) Ranta and twin sister, Lorine (Walter) Ruff.

Graveside Service- 10:30 am Saturday, July 25, 2020 at the Medina Cemetery in Medina, ND

Martha Ruff

February 28, 1928 - December 15, 2019

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