Ruth Ann Goetz, 72 of Selby passed away peacefully August 22, 2016 at Golden Living Center in Mobridge, SD. Funeral Services will be Friday August 26th at 10:00 at St John's Lutheran Church in Selby with visitation one hour prior to service. A meal will be served following services. Burial will take place at Akaska Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home following the meal. Memorial service will be held Thursday evening at Kesling's Funeral Home Mobridge at 7 pm with visitation beginning at 4pm.

Ruth was born on June 28, 1944 to Harold and Elizabeth (Peg) Hansen in Luverne, Minnesota. She was the oldest of 5 children. Her siblings are: Harold Jr, Charlene, Connie and Rick.

Ruth attended Russell Elementary and High School through graduation. Following graduation she attended one year at Nettleton College in Sioux Falls where she met Jerry Goetz. Ruth and Jerry were united in marriage September, 22, 1963 in Russell, MN. They lived in Marshall, MN and Woonsocket, SD for a short time and then in Selby until 1966 when they settled in Akaska, SD.

Ruth worked part time at the Akaska Equity Exchange for many years while raising her four children: Todd, Tim, Lisa and Trent. She enjoyed gardening, canning, attended her children's activities including football and wrestling in which she was a huge fan and watching her children grow. In 1979 she began working at Shorty's One Stop and Café where she was employed for many years at both the gas station café.

In 1982 Ruth and Jerry headed the Akaska Jubilee Committee and helped plan the jubilee celebration that was a huge celebration Akaska Style. She was a member of the Akaska Ladies Community Club, and Lowry UCC Church where she was also a Sunday School Teacher. Jerry and Ruth along with Jerry and Ruby Oxner developed and founded J & R Trailer courts that helped developed the town of Akaska and began the road to the thriving community that it is today.

Ruth moved to Selby in 1998 where she continued to work at Shorty's One Stop and the Walworth County Jail for many years. She was a member of St John's Lutheran Church and Cancer Support Group. When cancer and heart failure threatened her life she persisted in recovering and held various jobs through Selby and Mobridge.

Ruth was a member of a local dart league and was a faithful player every Monday night until May of 2016. She enjoyed various card groups and was an avid scrap booker and stamper. She enjoyed receiving and making new cards from her fellow stampers and especially her sister Char.

Gratefully for having shared in her life are her children Todd (EJ) Goetz, Selby, SD Tim (Diane) Goetz, Miller, SD, Lisa (Dana) Merkel, Mobridge, SD and Trent Goetz, Selby, SD. Grand children: Michaela, Derik, Rachel, Michelle, Brooke, Renita, Levi, Dalton and Justin and 3 great grandchildren: Kingston, Nicolas and Swayze. Brothers and Sisters: Harold (Patty) Hansen, Brainerd, MN, Charlene (Charles) Sand Greenfield, MN, Connie (Tony) Kettler and Rick (Carrie) Hansen, Marshall, MN., 13 nieces and nephews and many dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her brother Harold Hansen Jr, her parents Harold Hansen Sr. and Elizabeth (Peg) Hansen and a sister in infancy.