Ruth Alice (Tande) Dronen of Bella Vista, Arkansas died Thursday, December 3, 2020 at Circle of Life Hopsice in Bentonville. She was born April 12, 1926 in Scobey, Montana to B.O. Tande and Marie (Swenson) Tande.
Ruth was raised in Scobey and in Aneta, North Dakota. She graduated from the University of North Dakota (Grand Forks) in 1957. Ruth married Maurice Carter Dronen June 11, 1950 in Aneta. After Maurice graduated from Lutheran Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, they moved to Ellendale, Minnesota, where he was pastor of First Lutheran Church until she retired in 1980. Ruth earned her master’s degree from Mankato State University and worked in occupational home economics. Ruth and Maurice moved to their retirement home in Bella Vista in 1990.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Maurice, parents, brother Iver Tande, and sisters Luella Lee Burros, Eunice Langhaug and Rachel Tande.
Ruth is survived by one son, Christopher Dronen and wife, Kathy Jursik of Plymouth, Minnesota; daughter Elyce Santerre and husband, Philip, of Chugiak, Alaska; four grand children: Eric Dronen, Peter Dronen, Kristi Santerre Nyquist and Beth Santerre Brotherton; seven great-grand children: Jackson Nyquist, Cora Nyquest, Cora Nyquist, Mallie Nyquist, Oswin Nyquist, Eleanor Brotherton, Josephine Brotherton, and Samuel Dronen.
Visitation will be held Thursday, December 10 at 1 p.m. A funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. at United Lutheran Church, 100 Cooper Road, Bella Vista, Arkansas with Pastor Karen Fowler-Lindemuelder officiating. Burial will be at Bella Vista Memorial Garden Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to Luther Seminary, 2481 Como Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108.
Arrangements are by Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory. Condolences may be expressed at www.funeralmation.com.