OSAGE — Ruth Elizabeth Sponheim, 96, of Osage, a respected educator, librarian, musician and devoted church member, passed away Tuesday, August 4, 2026.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, August 7, 2026, at Rock Creek Lutheran Church, 3269 Foothill Avenue near Osage. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the service begins.
Ruth will be laid to rest at Rock Creek Cemetery.
Born November 25, 1929, at her family’s farm near Osage, Ruth was the daughter of Arthur and Gertie Maakestad Sponheim. She attended Rock No. 7 Country School and graduated from Osage High School in 1947.
Ruth continued her education at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, earning a degree in English and history education in 1951.
She began her lengthy career in education at Clear Lake High School, where she taught English and served as librarian for 15 years. Ruth later earned a master’s degree in library science from the University of Minnesota.
In 1967, she became head librarian at Fort Dodge Senior High School. She remained in that position for 33 years, retiring in 2000 at age 70.
Retirement did not end Ruth’s commitment to books and learning. After returning to Osage, she spent another 20 years working at the Osage Public Library. She finally retired again during the COVID-19 pandemic at age 90.
Ruth was also an accomplished pianist and organist who shared her musical talents with Rock Creek Lutheran Church near Osage and St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Fort Dodge. At Rock Creek, she participated in the Lydia Mission Circle and Eunice Circle and frequently prepared Bible studies.
Her strong Christian faith also inspired her involvement with the Damascus Road Prison Ministry while living in Fort Dodge. Through that ministry, she visited correctional facilities and shared scripture with inmates.
Known for her intelligence, warmth and ability to converse with nearly anyone, Ruth enjoyed participating in the Cedar Valley Retired School Personnel Association. She was an enthusiastic reader and remained interested in learning throughout her life.
Family gatherings held an important place in Ruth’s heart. She was a familiar and loving presence at birthdays, baptisms, confirmations, graduations, weddings and holiday celebrations. Her relatives also fondly remember her cooking, including her popular chocolate chip dessert and Snickers salad.
Ruth helped preserve her family’s history by organizing Sponheim reunions, maintaining family information and collecting photographs. She also faithfully attended annual Maakestad family reunions.
Travel was another of Ruth’s passions. Her journeys took her to Scandinavia, Alaska, Hawaii, Great Britain, Nova Scotia, Europe and the Mediterranean.
Ruth is survived by eight nieces and nephews and their families: Annette Hugi Johnson of Spring Valley, Minnesota; Julie Hugi and husband Joe Sanchez of Mason City; Leon and Denise Hugi of Mason City; Steven Hugi of Mason City; Ingrid Sponheim and Steve Dravland of Sioux Falls; Hugh and Roberta Hugi of Mason City; Elizabeth Sponheim of New York City; and Harold and Jeannie Sponheim of Loveland, Colorado.
She is also survived by 17 great-nieces and great-nephews and 25 great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Harold Sponheim, and his wife, Margaret; sisters Dorothe Sponheim and Gertrude Sponheim Chehock Hugi; brothers-in-law Lester Chehock and Eugene Hugi; sister-in-law Helen Hugi; and nephew-in-law Buster Johnson.
Hoff Celebrations – Champion Chapel of Osage is handling arrangements. To read more and see the full obituary, please click here.
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