Ruthie M. Hodgkins Mathews, age 92 of Mapleton died on Monday, April 9, 2018 at the Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato.
Born on February 16, 1926 in McGrath, Minnesota, she was the daughter of Frederick and Louise (Zimpel) Zimpel. She attended McGrath Public School, earned her teachers certificate from St. Cloud University and received her education degree from Mankato State University. She married John A. Hodgkins on August 20, 1947 in St. Paul and he preceded her in death in 1984. She later married Paul Mathews on July 28, 1989 in Waldorf. Ruthie taught for many years in Waldorf where she also started the Special Education program. She enjoyed rosemaling, crocheting, gardening, traveling, and cooking. She was a member of Medo Lutheran Church.
She is survived by her husband, Paul Mathews of Mapleton; two children, Greig “Sam” (Pam) Hodgkins of Russell, Manitoba, Canada and Jacqueline (Kim) Bloom of Bismarck, ND; five grandchildren, Christa (James) Sorlin-Davis, Sherri (David) Sandry, Cory Hodgkins, Catherine (Alex) Swanson, Sarah (William) Grant; nine great-grandchildren, Tayla, Reid and Addison Sandry, Solomon, Isaiah and Hannah Swanson, and Lilian, Daniel and Katherine Grant. She was preceded in death by her parents; son-in-law, Richard Swanson; two brothers, Harris and Raymond Zimpel; and three sisters, Luella Schipansky, Jeanette Olson, and Lorene Stolle.
Visitation will be held at Dennis Funeral & Cremation Services in Waseca on Sunday, April 15, 2018 from 1-4 p.m. and will continue on Monday, one hour before services at the church.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 16, 2018 at 1 p.m. at Medo Lutheran Church. Burial will follow at Medo Lutheran Cemetery. dennisfuneralhomes.com