Ruth Eliza (Johnson) Iverson, 86, formerly of Brockton, Poplar, Harlem and Chinook. She was born November 15, 1923 on her dad’s birthday, at the Julius and Anna Johnson farm north of Brockton. Ruth passed away at Benefis Medical Center on May 21th surrounded by family in Great Falls, MT.
Ruth attended schools in Montana and Minnesota graduating from Henning High School in 1943. She returned to Montana and went to work in the Brockton Post Office. On November 6, 1948, she married Merland N. Iverson. To this union were born three children, Bonnie Mae, Dwaine John, and Randy Bert. Merland and Ruth farmed north of Brockton until his death in 1986. After her husband’s death, she moved to the Harlem and Chinook area to be closer to her daughter, Bonnie. The last 18 months of her life were spent in Shelby at the Marias Heritage Center, near her sons.
Ruth was an avid gardener; she had a beautiful garden and raspberry patch that she maintained until just a few years before her death. She also loved to bake, especially cookies and lefse, for her children and grandchildren. She was always ready, with a pot of coffee and homemade cookies, for a visit from family or friends. And spent much of her free time throughout her life visiting family, Ruth had very close relationships with all of her siblings, as well as Merland’s family. One of her favorite events was an annual trip to Minnesota which was spent fishing and visiting with family and friends.
Ruth’s memorial service is at 7 PM Wednesday, May 26th at American Lutheran Church in Chinook. The funeral will be held at Our Savior’s Lutheran in Brockton, MT at 2:30 P.M. on Saturday, May 29. She will be laid to rest next to her husband at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, north of Brockton.
Survivors include Bonnie Hellman of Chinook, Dwaine (Barbara) of Shelby, and Randy (Maloni) of Shelby, Grandchildren, Julianna (Alyn) Stone of Geraldine, Jennifer and Patricia of Chinook, Kristi (Brad) Aklestad of Galata, Rebecca (Dan) Chase of Vancouver, WA, John (Jenny) of Helena, Elizabeth (Brennin) Grainey of Polson, Colleen (David) Gambill of East Helena, Holly (Jabez) Rogers of Shelby, Chad (Taunya) of Powell WY, Shane, Danny, Tyler, Steven, and Brett of Shelby, 13 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. Sister, Bernice Nygard, of Brockton, Brother, Reuben Johnson, of Poplar, Sisters-in-law, Irene Moore and Betty Gobbs, of Culbertson, Joanne Hanson, of Redding, CA, and Darlene Johnson, of Billings. In addition to her parents preceded in death by husband Merland, brothers, Northfield, Bert, Joseph, and Millard.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.stevensonandsons.com. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.