Katherine Ruchti

Katherine Ruchti, age 93, of Willmar passed away on Monday, September 2, at Koronis Manor in Paynesville.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Friday, September 6, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Willmar. Interment will be at Cloverleaf Memorial Park Cemetery in Willmar. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Thursday, September 5, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar and one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials are preferred to Redeemer Lutheran Church.
Katherine Ruchti was born on December 23, 1919, to Cornelius "Neil" and Jennie (Skinkin) Roos of rural Belgrade, MN. She was the second oldest of 9 children. From early on she helped her mother, who was deaf, take care of the younger children, clean the house and cook. This prepared her for her 1st job, as she moved to Willmar, MN from the farm to be nanny & cook to the then Senator Wahlstrand and his family of Willmar, Mn.
She was united in marriage to Louis H. Ruchti of Willmar on Feb 5, 1942 and after World War II they made their home in Willmar, MN. Katherine & Louie were married for 47 years before he died in 1989.
Katherine served in many capacities during her 93 years of life; bringing joy, the beauty of the gift of helping and praying for those in her life. She loved the Lord with her whole heart and one of her greatest joys was to join with God's people on Sunday morning. She wrote in a note about why she loved to go to church. It said, "To praise our God and let His word bring the power, love and guidance of God into my life every day."
She loved to be able to work hard every day, except Sunday. Each of her days had a schedule of work associated with it. Her flowers, vegetable garden and apple trees were the focus of her attention during the summer. She and Louie would make 50 plus apples pies to eat and give away to her family each year. In the winter after Louie died, for 23 years she would go "south" to stay with one of her children or grandchildren. Her past skills were always put to good use as she worked within each family. She would say "I can't just sit around and do nothing". Within our families she became known as "Grandma-Great" and " Super Nanny" who was always ready with an extra pair of hands, teaching what God had taught her throughout her life.
She is survived by two sons and one daughter: Roger (Catherine) Ruchti of Menomonee Falls, WI, Robert (Joanne) Ruchti of Andover, MN, and Kathleen (David) Leidheiser of Peck, ID; seven grandchildren, Timothy (Stacey) Ruchti, Thomas (Kim) Ruchti, Dawn Marchiafava, Tammy Hayft, Daniel (Aimmiee) Leidheiser, Dean Leidheiser, Mistie (Jerame) Lee; and sixteen great-children, Peter Ruchti, Kayla Ruchti, Nathan Ruchti, Abigail Ruchti, Alexander Ruchti, Anna Ruchti, JT Marchiafava, Kyle Marchiafava, Tyler Hayft, Aaron Hayft, Scarlet Leidheiser, DaKotia Leidheiser, Samantha Leidheiser, Cassidy Leidheiser, Emylie Lee and Dalton Lee; one sister, Louise Stewart and three brothers, Elmer (Glena) Roos, Henry (Florance) Roos and Cornelius "Bud" (Mary Ann) Roos; besides other relatives and friends. She will be greatly missed by all.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Louis H. Ruchti, an infant great-grandson, one brother & three sisters.
Katherine's family wants to gratefully acknowledge the care given to her by Compassionate Care, Koronis Manor, Rice Hospice and the many family members and friends who took the time to visit her. We thank the Lord for your faithfulness to our mother in her time of need.