Ruth M. Aafedt, age 79, resident of Michigan, ND, died Friday, January 8, 2010 at her home in Michigan.

Ruth Madeline Hanesalo was born February 25, 1930 near Lawton, ND, the daughter of Edward and Josephine (Lematta) Hanesalo. She was raised on her parents farm there and attended country school for grades 1 through 6, 7 th grade in Lawton, 8th grade in Pelto, and all of her high school years in Lakota, where she graduated in 1947. She then worked in the Lakota and Michigan area as a telephone operator and waitress. Ruth married Leland Aafedt on November 26, 1951 at Michigan. They farmed together for many years in the Michigan and Mapes area. In the late 1960's Ruth began working at the Johnson Store in Michigan . She worked there through the years and eventually became a co-owner. Ruth and Leland moved into town in 1981. She retired in 1995. Ruth was very active in her interests, which included the Michigan Homemakers Club, the Book Club, the Red Hat Society, Michigan Lutheran Church. And since she loved to sew and quilt; her involvement with the ladies aid quilting group at church helped the Lutheran World Relief and other organizations to benefit from their quilt creations and baby layettes.

Ruth's family includes her husband, Leland Aafedt; 5 children, Mike (JoDee) Aafedt of West Fargo, ND, Jody (Patrick) Lunemann of Clarissa, MN, Randy Aafedt (Kim Arendt) of Chandler, AZ, Ryan Aafedt of Idaho Falls, ID, and Mitch Aafedt of Fargo, ND; 8 grandchildren, Darcy Aafedt (Scott Hanson), Scott Aafedt, Jacob Lunemann, Barrett Lunemann, Taylor Lunemann, Reid Lunemann, Deandra Lunemann, and Alex Lunemann; 2 great grandchildren, Alexa & Emery Hanson; and a sister, Alyce Maalis of Chula Vista, CA.

She was preceded in death by her parents; 4 brothers, Phil, Elmer, Clifford, and Verner; 2 sisters, Faye Krause and Mayme Dietrich; and 2 infant siblings.

Ruth's Funeral Service will be held at the Michigan Lutheran Church on Thursday, January 14, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. Officiating will be the Reverend Don Reynolds. The organist will be Paula Narum and the soloist will be Patrick Lunemann. Interment will be in the spring at the Michigan Cemetery. The casketbearers will be Ruth's grandsons, Scott, Jacob, Barrett, Taylor, Reid, and Alex. The honorary casketbearers will be Darcy Aafedt, Deandra Lunemann, Alexa Hanson, Emery Hanson, and all of Ruth's former co-workers and friends. Visitation will be held at the Aaker Funeral Home of Lakota on Wednesday beginning at 2:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church on Thursday, from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service.