Ruth "Lillian" Neva

Ruth Lillian (Rude) Neva, Jamestown, North Dakota, age 100, passed away peacefully at Ave Maria Village on Tuesday, May 10, 2016, surrounded by her loving family.

Lillian was born August 30, 1915, at Ludlow, South Dakota, to Norwegian immigrants Esten K. and Inga (Johansen) Rude. At age seven, she moved to Pingree, North Dakota, with her family. She attended school in Round Top Township and graduated from Pingree High School. She married Albert Neva of Kensal, North Dakota, in Glendive, Montana, on July 20, 1938. They resided in Jamestown except for the 39 months that Albert served in WWII.

Lillian was employed as cashier at Scott's Department store for 13 years and as financial and office secretary at Trinity Lutheran Church until her retirement in 1971. Beloved by the congregation, she received a generous monetary retirement gift which enabled her to live out a life-long dream of a trip to Norway to see the farms of her parents' roots and to meet and visit many relatives. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday School and served as Sunday School Superintendent and Bethel Bible Study leader. Lillian was named volunteer of the year more than once at Hi-Acres Manor and was also a Lifeline responder in the community.

A long-time member of the Sons of Norway Wergeland Lodge, Lillian served as treasurer and performed with the folk dance group. She was proud of her Norwegian heritage and loved lutefisk, lefse, and krumkake.

Anyone who knew "Lil" or "Lily," as she was often called, enjoyed her keen sense of humor and her mischievous spirit. She often recited whimsical verses and limericks, some of them original, and took delight in the laughter of listeners whenever she could find an audience.

Above all, Lillian was a devoted witness for her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She touched the lives of many as a role model and mentor and was truly a blessing to her nieces and nephews and their families. She often would recite her favorite Bible passage, Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths." Lillian's goodbyes would usually conclude with "God bless you,".
Lillian is survived by many nieces and nephews and their families, including Clarence D. (Peggy) Hopland, Hobbs, NM; Janice (Gary) Parfit, Star, ID; Marlon (Charlotte) Rude, Lafayette, LA; Dan (Betty) Rude, Missoula, MT; Donna Fischer, Kathleen Vandeberghe, and David Rude, all Jamestown, ND; and Linda (Arne) Perleberg, Cando, ND.

She was preceded in death by her husband Albert; her parents; baby sister Ella Rude; brothers Elmer (Bonnie) Rude, Clifford (Sharlyne) Rude, Leonard (Frances) Rude; sister Ella (William) Jensen; nieces Sharon (Merland) Thiesen, and Pamela Williams.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Lillian's name to Trinity Lutheran Church, Ave Maria Village, Eventide at Hi-Acres Manor, or JRMC Hospice, all of Jamestown. The family wishes to thank the many compassionate nurses who ministered to Lil over the past several years and the many friends, volunteers, pastors, chaplains, and others who visited and cared for her, especially the staff of Ave Maria Village. Thank you for the outpouring of love in her final days.
Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 12, at Eddy Funeral Home in Jamestown. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 13, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Jamestown, with Rev. Kristina Weber officiating. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Jamestown.

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