Ruth Marie Dorneden, age 102, passed away peacefully at home in Gratiot, WI July 18, 2026. Ruth is survived by her son, Daniel Dorneden, Gratiot and her daughter, Christinia Kuehn and son-in-law, Daniel Kuehn, Austin, Texas. She is survived by two grandchildren, Kelsey Kuehn, Austin, Texas and Nicholas Kuehn and wife Courtney Kuehn, Austin, Texas, plus her two great grandchildren, Jack Benjamin and Emma Ruth Kuehn, Austin, Texas.
Ruth was born on Valentines Day, February 14, 1924, to Golack and Janna (Simonson) Golackson on the family farm in Jordan Township in Green County. She attended the local one room Mills country school and graduated from Monroe HS in 1942. Education was important to Ruth. To attend high school in Monroe, Ruth left home at age 14 and lived with the Barney Stoltz family. After high school graduation, she worked in Beloit for several years making many lifelong friends. After meeting the love of her life, she was united in marriage to Leo Dorneden May 5, 1951, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Gratiot. Following her marriage, she lived in Gratiot for her remaining life.
She began to work part-time in 1951 and later full time and seasonally at Swiss Colony Monroe in the data center. She loved going to work daily and made so many lifelong friends at Swiss Colony. She and her sisters, Edna Jackson, and Mildred Meier, were honored by Swiss Colony for their combined service of almost 100 year's total. They enjoyed the family atmosphere of the Swiss Colony.
Ruth treasured her role as wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and cousin. Upon retirement, she enjoyed traveling especially to Austin, Texas where she became a treasured part of the neighborhood. She was cherished by many and enjoyed helping others in her community. She was deeply religious and prayed daily for many. She served in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Altar Society and volunteered at Gratiot Grade School, Black Hawk HS and Happy Hour 4-H club. Ruth enjoyed music, dancing, sewing, gardening, baking/cooking, and reading. Despite her age, she read 3 newspapers and kept up with current events, including sports. She loved the Christmas Holidays, writing cards, decorating, baking Norwegian treats, going to church, and celebrating with friends and family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband Leo on May 21, 1971, in-laws: Johnny & Stasia Dorneden, two sisters: Edna Jackson, Mildred Meier, sister in-law: Catherine Dorneden, four brothers: Harold, George, Robert, and Milfred Golackson, one half-sister: Gladys Golackson, and five half-brothers: Gordon, Benny, Raymond, Edgar, and Charlie Golackson, plus numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Funeral services will be held Friday July 31, 2026, at 11:00AM St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Gratiot, with Fr. William Vernon presiding. A visitation will be held on Friday July 31, 2026, at St Joseph's Catholic Church from 10:00AM until the time of service. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Gratiot, next to her beloved husband, Leo Dorneden. The family extends deep gratitude and appreciation to Daniel Dorneden, Kayla Golackson, the community of St. Joseph’s Church, and others who provided care and loving support.
In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been establish in Ruth's name.
