Ruth Elaine Fuller of Sheldon, Iowa and formerly of Tucson, Arizona, entered the presence of her Savior on Sunday, January 21, 2024 after a brief cancer battle.
Ruth was born to Victor and Marie Olson October 12, 1935 in Cook, MN. She was the sixth of eight children. Ruth received her education from the Cook, MN schools. After graduating from high school, Ruth attended Northwestern University in Minneapolis, MN. While there, Ruth worked for The Billy Graham Organization. Ruth, wearing lipstick, caught the eye and attention of Samuel Fuller while they were in college. They married in December 1958 in Minneapolis. Following their marriage, they lived in Wessington Springs, SD; Parkston, SD; and Detroit Lakes, MN. Ruth and her husband were true partners. They were involved with their church and communities. Ruth provided in-home daycare while her children were young. She later became a bookkeeper for several different businesses. Ruth was very supportive of her husband’s career in music education. In addition, while living in Detroit Lakes, she and Sam owned and operated a paint and glass store. In 1980, Sam and Ruth relocated their family to Tucson, AZ where Sam was a music minister for a church. Ruth’s love for music was an added bonus to Sam’s calling. She learned to play piano by ear at a young age. She gave piano lessons to many children. One of her joys was volunteering as an usher for the Tucson Symphony, so they could attend many of the concerts. Once her children were grown, Ruth dedicated her time to assisting older women who were alone and needed assistance as well as mentoring young mothers. Sam passed in December 2017 in Tucson. Ruth stayed in the family home until May 2023, when she moved in with her daughter in Sheldon, IA.
Ruth was a prayer warrior. Ruth had a deep faith in and love for Jesus. She instilled that faith in her children and grandchildren. She shared her faith with every opportunity she was given. Ruth had a gift for hospitality. She could make a meal for her family and stretch it for last-minute guests. She made her home look like they had money when they really didn’t. Ruth was known for her dry wit and humor.
Ruth is survived by her children, Jeff (Kate) Fuller of Pagosa Springs, CO, Judy Adkins of Sheldon, IA, Jill (Jerry) Wyatt of Jefferson, Oregon, and Jennifer (Phill) McCauley of Spencer, IA; grandchildren (and great-grandchildren) Zachary and Kathy Fuller (Joshua), Kelci Fuller, Emma Fuller, Rachel and Conrad Oliver (Brooklyn and Kalea), Anna and Kirby Elkins (Keldon, Delilah, and Asher), Tino Lister, and Gabe Lister, Taylor and Emily Wyatt (Adeline and Archer), Nick Wyatt and Kyle Elmer, JT Wyatt and Atalie Frank, Gunner and Breanna Wyatt (Ophelia and Clark), Haviland and Steve Brick, (Mariana and Tierney), Hilary and Tyler Haverson (Gemma and Gunnar), Hayden and Tysa Adkins, (Keegan, Makinley, Breklyn, and Dakota), Seth McCauley and Samantha McCauley. She is survived by her brother, Elof Olson, sisters-in-law Doreen Olson, Arliss Olson, and Sandee Olson, all of Minnesota, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Sam, son Judson at birth, daughters-in-law Diane Fuller and Robin Fuller, and son-in-law, Scott Adkins; brothers Elton (Patsy) Olson, Harold, Arlee, and Sam Olson, sisters Anna Marie (Victor) Walker and Gladys (Willard) Olson and her sister-in-law Nancy Olson. She was also preceded in death by Sam’s parents, Glenn and Hazel Fuller, his stepmother Dortha Fuller, and his sisters and their spouses, Anne (Don) Cubley and Sally (Bob) Snedigar.
A celebration of Ruth’s life will be held at a later date.
