Photo by Charlie M. Hartman Over 22,000 items are in Ruth’s Cow Collector Moo-seum, making Ruth Klossner the Guiness Book of World Record holder for having the largest collection cow related items since 2015.

BERNADETTE -Ruth Klossner and her dog, Molly, have a great view of the sky and the endless corn fields in their home at the Moo-seum in the small town of Bernadette.

Klossner, a long time writer and photographer, has 22,010 cows related items in her museum, for which she holds the Guinness Book of World Records since 2015.

Most people stop in by appointment, and it’s all free to see, though some people leave a donation or a cow related object. There are snow globes, stuffed animals, key chains, hats, umbrellas, paper towels, pencils and pens, ornaments, pictures, cabbage patch kids, puzzles, blankets–and they’re all cows.

“There’s a little of everything; if it’s cow it’s here,” said Klossner.

Klossner grew up on a farm north of New Ulm. Her family had a dairy farm, and her first pets were cows, Midnight and Sally.

Photo by Charlie M. Hartman Ruth Klossner shows off the most famous piece at the Moo-seum—her silver 1890s cream pitcher from Tippy Hedren.

“This was back in the 50s, Midnight–I could have walked that cow in the house if mom would have let me. And my pride and joy was my princess cow but did not start collecting until I was an adult in the 70s. I got one piece at an auction because I just kinda liked it,” said Klossner.

She started organizing her collection back in the 80s when she first got a computer. She wanted to learn how to use a spread sheet and so she categorized her first 100 pieces. She presumes she’s still holding the Guiness Book Records.

“I’m sure I still do. To get the record all the pieces had to be counted by reputable people, a district court judge helped me count them. He and his wife came out and counted over 15,000 pieces and it got in,” said Klossner.

The most famous cow of the collection is a cream picture that’s sterling silver made in the 1890s. She received the item as a gift from actress, Tippy Hedren.

“Tippy came back to town in 2000, and she stayed at my house. We had a ball. When she visited New Ulm for a program again in 2014, she told me she had some cows for me. And she had this one shipped to me. She had it for quite a few years, from the 1950s,” said Klossner.

Photo by Charlie M. Hartman Ruth Klossner, writer, photographer, and owner of Ruth’s Cow Collector’s Moo-seum.

The Moo-seum has had many visitors over the years–from kindergarten classes to folks from 30 different states, and even people from 27 different countries.

“A neighbor had foreign exchange students and sometimes she’d bring them over. I’d have 20 countries here in one day,” said Klossner.

Klossner has written four books, mostly history tombs on Nicolette, Bernadette, Lafayette and the surrounding areas. Most of the research for her books comes from newspapers, a lot are stories she wrote when she worked for the paper.

Over the years she’s written thousands of newsletters for clubs like Farm City Hub Club, the Lions, and several churches. Currently she is the secretary of both Farm City Hub and the lions as well as the Field of Grace Communications Coordinator for church and the Financial secretary for the Bernadette church.

And she still finds time for photography. Earlier in her career she developed film in her basement, but now she’s gone digital. She has worked at the State Fair for 42 years taking photos of champion animals.

“I spend all my time in the barns working. I don’t go to check out the rest of the fair or anything because everything is provided for me there. I took thousands of pictures at this year’s fair,” said Klossner. “I also photographed the Nicollet County 4-H Fair for all events. I used to have farmers to take me up and to take aerial photographs, but now it’s all done by drones. In a few weeks, I’m going to Madison, Wisconsin to photograph the 4H Dairy Conference.”

“I always have something going. As you retire keep active–don’t just sit. I’d be bored to death! And give the youth a chance, I’ve met so many great kids. I photograph the kids for so many years and I’m there on the sidelines, and they’re good. It gives me faith in the young people,” said Klossner.