Funeral Notice: Ruth M. Shotliff
Ruth M. Shotliff, age 96, of Jordan, MN died on September 14, 2025 in Belle Plaine, MN.
Visitation 4:00 - 7:00 PM on Monday, September 22, 2025 at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, 104 1st St W, Jordan, MN. A Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM with additional Visitation from 10:00 - 10:45 AM on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 313 2nd St E, Jordan, MN. Father Neil Bakker will preside. Ruth will be laid to rest at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Jordan.
Ruth was born on February 8, 1929. She was the 3rd child of six born to Albert and Margaret Smith, on a farm in Mower County, MN. Cyril and Gladys before her and Ralph, Louise, and Jerry after. She grew up speaking German and English. Sadly, she lost her father when she was only seven years old. She went through 8th grade in Johnsburg, MN. Ruth met the love of her life, Bob Shotliff while in high school. They both graduated in 1947 from Visitation High School in Stacyville, IA. She was a good student. Even though she was shy, she enjoyed participating in all the school activities.
After graduation, she worked for Dr. Staudt in Stacyville as a dental assistant while Bob played baseball for the White Sox farm clubs.
June 7, 1950 Ruth and Bob were united in marriage and spent 39 years together before Bob's passing. They moved and made their home in Jordan because of a baseball offer to play for the Brewers. In 1955, they bought a house on south Broadway Street. It had a big yard with plenty of space for the kids to run, to host many family reunions and of course it has the best place in town to watch the fireworks during Heimetfest.
Ruth worked in a care center for many years. She enjoyed her vegetable and flower gardens, and loved African violets, which were her favorite house flowers. She was very involved with the kid's activities, being a leader in Scouts, and 4-H. She was also active in St. John's Catholic Church and community activities. She played in the same card club for over 50 years! She loved to travel and visited many wonderful places both foreign and domestic.
Ruth proudly wore her red hat!
Most of all she loved her family, friends, pets, Lawrence Welk, Nut Goodie bars, and an occasional whiskey sour.
Ruth will be greatly missed by daughters, Mary Ann (Joe) Mittelstadt, Peggy Shotliff, Paula (Todd) Williams, Bonnie Shotliff, Gina Shotliff; sons, Tony (Mary) Shotliff, Joe (Robin Crosby) Shotliff, Nick Shotliff; 13 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; brother, Ralph (Beverly) Smith; brother-in-law, Clarke Shotliff; sisters-in-law, Joan Smith, Barb Shotliff, Carole Shotliff; and other loving relatives and friends.
Those who went before Ruth: her husband, Robert; daughter, Susan Shotliff; infant son, Steven; grandson, Bobby Shotliff; son-in-law, Joe Mittelstadt; parents; siblings, Cyril Smith, Jerry Smith, Gladys (Othmar) Blake, and Louise (Virgil) Juenger; brothers-in-law, Chuck and George Shotliff; and several nieces and nephews.