NICOLLET–Ruth Ann Wills, age 84 of rural Nicollet, died peacefully with her family at her side on Tuesday, December 26, 2023, at the Generations Memory Care Center in Mankato.

Funeral service will be 2 p.m. on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Nicollet. Pastor Micah Plocher will officiate, and burial will follow in the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in rural Nicollet. Visitation will be held from 12-2 p.m. on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Nicollet. The funeral service will be live-streamed through the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church’s website at: trinitynicollet.org The Minnesota Valley Funeral Homes are assisting the family with arrangements at this time. To leave an online condolence for her family, or to sign the guestbook, go to: mvfh.org

Ruth Ann is survived by her daughters, Julie (Tracy) Harris of Rochester, Joan (Perry) Hulke of rural Courtland, Janis (Mike) Barten of North Mankato; her sons, Douglas (Tammy) Wills of rural Nicollet, Darryl (LizAnn) Wills of Chaska; her 15 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren; her sister, LaVonne (Ronald) Dahltorp of Lake Crystal; her brother, Reuben (Judy) Bode of Courtland; and her brother-in-law, and sister-in-law, Wayne and Kathy Luepke of New Ulm. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Dennis Wills in 2021; her sister, Laura Luepke in 2000.

Ruth Anna Johanna Bode was born July 16, 1939, in Courtland Township to Ervel and Lorna (Stolt) Bode. She was baptized into the faith on July 23, 1939, and later confirmed on March 29, 1953, by Pastor E.J. Marxhausen at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in rural Courtland. Growing up in Nicollet County, Ruth Ann was a 1957 graduate from Nicollet High School. On October 3, 1959, Ruth Ann was united in marriage to Dennis Wills at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in rural Courtland. This union blessed the couple with three daughters and two sons whom together they raised on their farm in rural Nicollet. Early in their lives together, the couple enjoyed dancing at the local ballrooms, as well as roller skating together. Besides helping raise their children, and helping on the farm, Ruth Ann worked a long and dedicated 31-year career in the banking industry. She started her career working at the Courtland State Bank from 1957-1961. She later went to work from 1979 until her retirement in 2006 at the Nicollet State Bank which later became Pro-Growth Bank. When she wasn’t working, she loved working with her flowers and vegetables in the garden and tending to her yard. Ruth Ann always enjoyed staying busy in life. To give back to her community she volunteered for many years as a 4-H Club Leader, served as secretary/treasurer for AAL/Thrivent Branch 1252, as well as a volunteer with the Nicollet County Extension Group. As a devout member of the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Nicollet, Ruth Ann dedicated a lot of her time giving back to her church. She served as a member of the Trinity Ladies Guild, volunteered at the Library for Trinity School where she would listen to children read, and also helped organize vacation bible school. Ruth Ann volunteered for over 30 years for the American Cancer Society – Relay of Life, where her dedication to giving back and fund raising earned her the nickname of the “Daffodil Lady”. Ruth Ann had a tremendous amount of pride and love for her family. She was proud of the family she helped raise, and was especially proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. As one of their biggest supporters, there weren’t too many high school or college sporting events Ruth Ann missed. One of the attributes Ruth Ann will be remembered for were her talents in the kitchen, with the family favorite treat always being the “Ruthie Bar”. Although Ruth Ann lived a long and beautiful life, she will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. Blessed be her memory.

What the name Ruth stands for, is “Beautiful Friend”, and that she was. In all thy ways, acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be directed to Generations Memory Care Center in Mankato for their loving care they provided Ruth Ann.

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