Ruth Margaret Clausen, 82, passed away Wednesday, October 11, 2017, at Quail Corner in Winnemucca, surrounded by family and friends who loved her.
She was born January 10, 1935 in North Dakota, the youngest of four children born to Herman and Edythe Otto. Her father died when she was three years old and her mother died when she was seven years old. She was raised on a farm in the Bantry area of North Dakota by her older sister, Edith Genetzky.
After graduating from high school in Towner, North Dakota in 1952, Ruth eventually moved to Nevada where she met Raymond Clausen while working at Felix’s Casino in Lovelock. Raymond and Ruth were married in Reno on December 23, 1956 and settled in Winnemucca. They shared 44 years together and raised three daughters before Ray passed away in 2001.
Ruth worked as a waitress for Joe Mackey at the Star Broiler and later as a waitress and cashier at the Winners Inn Casino, retiring after 25 years of service in 1991.
Retirement was good to Ray and Ruth. For over a decade they were able to travel together a lot, taking several cruises and trips around the U.S. They especially loved visiting Hawaii.
After Ray’s death, Ruth took trips with the Senior Center and with her daughters and occasionally with friends. She really enjoyed traveling and missed being able to go on cruises and travel as her health declined.
Ruth loved her dogs (all of them, as she had many over the years) and took them for walks and rides around town daily. They helped ease her loneliness after her husband passed away.
She loved decorating for the holidays, taking her grandchildren to lunch after kindergarten, going to the Senior Center, wearing colorful necklaces and having beautiful nails. Her signature smile touched all who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her three daughters; (Kent) Eckhart of Boise, Idaho, Darlene (Rodger) Bryan of Winnemucca, Nevada, and Debbie (Matt) Paszek of Reno, Nevada; grandchildren Cullen and Emilie Eckhart, Daniel (Emily), David, Dillon and Dustin Bryan, Amanda (Kory) Vance, (Brett) Zolkos, Jarek, Madison and Breanna Paszek, and three great-grandchildren; Jack and Joshua Bryan and Luke Vance.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 21, 2017, at the Grass Valley LDS Chapel, 1305 East Mary Way, Winnemucca, NV. Services to begin at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ruth’s memory to Harmony Manor/Quail Corner, Humboldt County Senior Center or the Humboldt County Animal Shelter.
Our family would like to thank the staff at Harmony Manor/Quail Corner for the loving care provided to mom over the past two plus years, particularly Dr. Grant, Rachel Anderson, Diane Nevis, and aides Esther and Rachel. Thank you to Kat Ourada for sharing a donut with mom every Monday and to Martha Chavez for making sure mom’s nails looked beautiful every day. Your thoughtfulness will not be forgotten.
