Ruth Stirling

RUTH ANN (MCCLURE) STIRLING was born on December 17, 1949 to Russell and Johanna (Beyer) McClure in Luverne, Minnesota. She was baptized on January 15, 1950 and made a confirmation of that faith on May 17, 1964, at her childhood church of St. John Lutheran in Luverne. She graduated from Luverne High School in 1968 and continued her education at Stewart School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota for hairstyling. She continued her career as a beautician for the next 30 years until she purchased The Beer Garden in Menno, South Dakota. She was well known for her knack of being a great cook and collector of Coca Cola memorabilia. Above all else, Ruth cherished her family. She was blessed with two sons, Jesse and Shane, and her stepchildren, Montana Stirling and Tami Love. Ruth was artistic and joyful. She had a wonderful spirit about her. On August 29, 2016 Ruth died peacefully at the Avera-McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls at the age of 66 years.

She is survived by her husband, Kent “Ed” Stirling of Tripp; children, Jesse and Shane Freeborn, Montana Stirling, and Tami Love; sister, Sara (Randy) Van Nieuwenhuizen of Luverne; brother, Cleon (Sue) McClure of Douglas, Massachusetts; and other relatives and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Russell and Johanna McClure; and a sister, Laura Hauff.

Ruth will be greatly missed, but her spirit will continue to live on in the hearts of those she touched.