Ruth Seefeldt

Ruth Seefeldt, Willow Lake, age 80, the widow of Hunce Seefeldt, died peacefully with all of her grandchildren at her side in the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls on Thursday night, November 12, 2015. A memorial visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 17, 2015 from 5-7 PM at the United Presbyterian Church in Willow Lake. Memorial services will be held on Wednesday, November 18, 2015 at 10:30 AM in the United Presbyterian Church at Willow Lake with The Reverend Richard Poppen and Pastor Jim Uthe officiating. A private burial will be held in the Collins Cemetery at Willow Lake. She was born Ruth D. Mundhenke on April 4, 1935 to William H. "Bill" and Jennie (Kuper) Mundhenke at the Doc Fleeger residence in Willow Lake. Her family lived 1 mile east of Willow Lake (Floyd's place) until she was in the 3rd grade and then they moved into town. She attended Willow Lake School until her Dad told her that she could go to high school or go to work. As all of you know, Ruth was known for working hard, so she chose the work! She went around town delivering milk. At the age of 15, Ruth began working at Tillie's Café on Main Street. It was a few y ears later, in that café, that she met the love of her life, Hunce Seefeldt, who had just returned from the Army. Richard "Hunce" Seefeldt and Ruth Mundhenke were united in marriage on June 13, 1953 at Willow Lake. Together with their children, Marie and Duane "Oscar", spent their loving 55 years of marriage on the farm 6 miles west of Willow Lake. Always working, usually alongside with Hunce, they raised sheep, pigs, chickens, and dogs beside being plumbers, and running the well-known H & R Café for many years. Ruth also cooked at the school, and worked in the grocery and drug stores. Ruth was very active in the Church, teaching Sunday School and Bible School, and in the Ladies Aid. You could also always count on her for attended the American Legion Auxiliary events and meetings. Her latest love was the Willow Lake Community Daycare and the Daycare Darlings. Affectionately called "Grandma Ruth" by all, she was still cooking, baking, reading stories, and rocking those babies until October 22nd with Ree and Papa Stan. Ruth's biggest passion was her children and grandchildren, being a small and very close family, she hosted Sunday dinners and all holidays at her home. She would supervise whatever off-the-wall recipe the boys would bring to her, laughing and enjoying every minute, what a trooper! She tried every recipe. Ruth anxiously waited at home during hunting seasons to hear the stories and too see the big buck! She also enjoyed her every Saturday date with Marie and Ash to go grocery shopping, have lunch, and giggle the entire time. Grateful for having shared her amazing life are her children, Marie (Stan) Zantow and Duane "Oscar" Seefeldt all of Willow Lake, crazy and wonderful grandchildren Rick and Ashley Zantow and Garrett and Heath Seefeldt, a very special family, Jeremy, Emily, Colton, and Logan Koenig; the Daycare Darlings; a sisters-in-law, Wava Kretzschmar and Doris Fryslie; a brother-in-law, Bob Spilde and a host of nieces, nephews and special friends. Preceding her in death was her love of her life, Hunce, her parents and in-laws, a brother, Floyd, and a sister Fanny. In lieu of flowers, Ruth's request was memorials be given in her memory to the Willow Lake Fire Department % Heath Seefeldt, or the Willow Lake Community Day Care % Marie Zantow, Thanks for respecting hers and her families wishes. Funeral arrangements are with the Furness Funeral Home at Clark where there is an on-line registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com