Ruth Ann Schmidt

Ruth Ann Schmidt, age 74, of Alexandria, died unexpectedly on Monday, September 14, 2026, at her home.

A graveside service will be held at 11:30 a.m., on Saturday, September 19, 2026, with Rev. Kathryn Rothman presiding at St. Lucas Lutheran Cemetery, Cottonwood.

Ruth Ann was born on February 7, 1952, in Minneapolis and three days later, adopted by Howard and Deloryce (Severson) Hanson of rural Clarkfield. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith in Clarkfield. She was four years old when her parents adopted her little sister, Liane. They grew up on the family farm and Ruth Ann graduated from Clarkfield High School in 1971. She was united in marriage to John Schmidt in April of 1979, in Tracy. Together they made their home in Tracy, then lived in Green Valley and Marshall. They moved to a farm in Miltona in 1994, where they lived until moving into Alexandria in 2021. Ruth Ann was a homemaker and a born caretaker. She loved caring for her family and extended family. She enjoyed garage sales, thrifting and collecting purses, shoes, jewelry, and cookbooks. She loved spending time with her family, reading, playing games and cards, and Bible studies. Ruth Ann was a former member of First Lutheran Church in Parkers Prairie and a long-time member of St. Lukes Lutheran Church in Garfield.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Deloryce Hanson; parents-in-law, Reinhart and Dorothy Schmidt; daughter, Emilie Schmidt, sister, Liane Hanson; and son, James Andersen.

Ruth Ann is survived by her husband of 47 years, John; daughter, Amy (Paul) Weltin of Alexandria; granddaughter, Brynn Weltin; two grandsons, Ian Weltin and Brandon Andersen; and great-grandson, Fox Stearns.