Obituary: Ruth Marie Sharratt

Ruth Marie Sharratt, age 84, of Carlton, Minnesota passed away on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, at Inter-Faith Care Center in Carlton. She was born March 10, 1939, to Clifford and Amy (Nordell) Hansen in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

Ruth developed a deep family bond while growing up near many cousins in Clearwater, Minnesota during the years you could play in the streets until dark and always feel safe. She attended grade school in Clearwater and graduated from St. Cloud Tech High School in 1957.

On Sept. 20, 1957, she was united in marriage to William Sharratt in Clearwater. Ruth followed his Air Force career until 1963. They moved to Duluth in 1964 and later settled in Carlton in 1967. Ruth began her career at J.C. Penney's in Duluth, Minnesota and was later employed at Northwoods Restaurant in Barnum, Minnesota. Above all, taking care of her family was her full time calling, at which she excelled.

Ruth was active in her church wherever she resided and played both piano and organ. In her spare time she enjoyed quilting, square dancing, reading, and playing cards. She was a gifted hostess and loved entertaining and cooking. Her smile could brighten any room. Cardinals, loons, and angels always brought Ruth joy and will now remind her loved ones of the memories they shared. She will be dearly missed.

Ruth is survived by her husband Bill; children Debra (Dale) Davis, Douglas (Darlene) Sharratt, Denise (Caylor) Zimmerman, Dolores (Robert) Gamble, and David Sharratt.

She is also survived by her grandchildren Robert, Shelley, Amy, Bradley (Jessica), and Dean (Sheila) Davis, Adam (Carol) and Andrea Sharratt, Amber (Andrew) Prange, Chad and Matthew (Jamie) True, Miranda (Wes) Bramall, Ethan (Anja) and Claire Gamble; six step-grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; many step-great-grandchildren; siblings Carol (Earl) Pribyl and Peter (Pat) Hansen; sister-in-law Joyce Stobb; special cousins Jimmy (Sharon) and Johnny (Marilyn) Lee; and many other cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Ruth is preceded in death by her parents; sisters Judy Helgeson and Helen Peterson; grandson Eli Gamble; brothers-in-law Ray Helgeson, Earl Peterson, Robert and Larry Sharratt.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to 11th Hour Ministry (P.O. Box 606 Carlton, MN 55718). This was an important cause to Ruth and offers food, medical supplies, and other support for those affected by the conflict in Ukraine.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 1, 5-8 p.m. at the Mahtowa Covenant Church. Visitation will continue on Saturday, March 2, 2024, from noon to the 1 p.m. funeral service at the church. A luncheon will follow. Interment will be at Sandy Lake Cemetery in Blackhoof Township of Barnum, Minnesota. Arrangements have been entrusted to Nelson Funeral Care. To sign an online registry, please visit http://www.nelsonfuneralcare.com.