Ruth L. Duehlmeyer

On June 20,2025, our beloved mother, Ruth Lillian Duehlmeyer nee Van Swol, was called home to be with the Lord. She lived a life rooted in faith, devoted to Christ, and guided by the teachings of the Holy Bible.

On July 8, 1937, Ruth Lillian Van Swol was born in Beecher, Illinois to Nicholas and Malinda (Rauch) Van Swol. She was one of six children. She was baptized and later confirmed in the Christian faith at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Beecher, IL. It was also at church that she met Robert Duehlmeyer. They were married on June 7, 1957. Robert and Ruth were a shining example of a Christian marriage and celebrated 52 years together before Robert’s passing on July 17, 2009. During their lives together they resided in Crete, IL, Hayfield, MN, and Caledonia, MN. After Robert’s passing, Ruth moved to Mankato, MN.

Ruth was a hard-working mother who was devoted to her family. Though she was small in stature, she was a big leader in the home. She was wise, creative, and gifted in many ways. She reared children in the light of God’s love, both those that were her own and those other parents entrusted to her care in her in-home daycare. She was a wonderful cook and baker, and we all benefited from her love of homemade pies, her wonderful home cooked meals, and her many different specialty desserts. Ruth was a talented seamstress, which was shown by the many articles of clothing and beautiful quilts she made. She helped many with altering dresses or hemming pants with remarkable speed. Ruth never let dust settle on a project. All these things she did to show her love and devotion. In this way she spoiled her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

As a mother, she raised her children in the ways of the Lord, teaching them to love, to serve, and to trust in Him always. She found comfort in verses such as Matthew 28:20—"Surely I am with you always to the very end of the age." She now rests in the arms of the Savior, free from pain and sorrow, rejoicing in the presence of the Almighty God.

Ruth is survived by her siblings, Nicholas (Judi) Van Swol, Dade, FL, Richard (Myrna) Van Swol, The Villages, FL, Elaine (James) Moeller, Crete, IL, and her children Robert Jr. (Mary) Stevensville, MI, Linda (David) Nottling, Appleton, WI, Jeffrey (Mary) Des Moines, IA, Ronald (Lori) Mankato, MN, Jane (Craig) Zibrowski, Mankato, MN, Mary (Jonathan) Pasbrig, West Bend, WI, Ann (Kyle) Brandt, La Crosse, WI, Erin Scholtes, Mankato, MN, and John (Kari), Tomah, WI, and 27 grandchildren and even more great grandchildren who we pray will carry on her legacy of faith and love.

She was preceded in death by her parents Nicholas and Malinda Van Swol, her husband Robert Duehlmeyer Sr., grandsons Andrew and Jonathan Duehlmeyer, and brothers and sister-in-law Peter, Charles and Gloria (Wassman) Van Swol. While we grieve Ruth’s passing, we find solace in the knowledge of Christ’s resurrection and the assurance that we will one day be reunited in God’s eternal kingdom.

A Celebration of Ruth’s life will be held at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Mankato, MN on July 1, 2025, at 11 a.m. with visitation from 9 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. the same day, where we will gather to honor her memory and rejoice in the promise of everlasting life.

"Well done, good and faithful servant." – Matthew 25:23

The live stream link below is a complimentary service provided by

Mankato Area Funeral Homes.

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