Ruth Taylor

Ruth Clara (Plantenberg) Taylor passed away surrounded by her loving family, on Friday, November 15, 2024 at St. Therese Memory Care in Woodbury, Minnesota.

Ruth was born on October 19, 1934 in Richmond, MN, to Veronica (Buerman) Plantenberg and Norbert Plantenberg. She attended Richmond Grade School, followed by St Boniface High School in Cold Spring, MN. After high school graduation, she worked as an admissions clerk at St. Cloud Hospital before beginning work for the Air Force Reserve in 1953 as a federal government worker. She remained there until 1989, retiring from her position as Traffic Manager.

Ruth met her future husband, George, through her work friend, Marie Taylor (married to George’s brother, Joseph). Ruth and George married on August 24, 1968 in Richmond, Minnesota. They built a life together in Apple Valley, Minnesota, with sons William and Steven. In their retirement, Ruth and George enjoyed traveling to Michigan and Texas with friends. George unexpectedly passed May 22, 1999.

After grieving the loss of her husband, Ruth became active in local senior groups, enjoying the friendship and activities, with cards being her favorite. She was proud of her cribbage and 500 expertise and continued her traveling adventures with group tours to Branson MO, Alaska, Door County WI, and other short, day trips, as well as trips to Washington DC to visit Steve and his family.

Ruth enjoyed spending time with her grandsons, Samuel, Shivas and Brahm. She especially enjoyed sharing her love of fishing with them and always looked forward to the time she would have out on the water fishing, followed by a delicious fish fry and smores around the campfire in the evenings. Ruth was as competitive in fishing as she was in her card games, and enjoyed having “bragging rights.” Ruth also loved spending time rocking and cuddling with her granddog, Joey, an 8 pound poodle-papillon, who loved her enthusiastically right back, until his passing at age 15.5, two years ago.

In March 2016, Ruth moved from her home in Apple Valley to Woodbury, MN to live at St Therese Senior Independent Living Apartments. She enjoyed making friends through card games, activities, movies, and exercise classes. She remained at St Therese until her death.

Ruth is preceded in death by her beloved husband, George Taylor; parents, Norbert and Veronica Plantenberg; her brother, Melvin “Mike” Plantenberg; and her sister, Dolores (Plantenberg) Lutgen.

Ruth will be lovingly remembered by her sons William (Kathleen) Taylor and Steve Taylor; grandsons Samuel Taylor (fiancée Christina Gilbert), Shivas Taylor and Brahm Taylor; and sister Judy (Plantenberg) Martinson, along with many nieces, nephews and in-laws.

A small, private memorial service will be held next summer.