Ruth McConnell Todd, our loving mother, Gram, Old Grandma, and Auntie was called home by our Lord on November 3, 2020. Almost to the date, the Lord called her husband Benny home on November 4, 1978. It was an absolute privilege and honor to have her here for 85 wonderful years.
Ruth was born on July 4, 1935 in Frazer to James McConnell Sr. and Fannie (Shoots The Door) McConnell.
She was raised in Frazer and graduated from Frazer. She married Benedict Todd Sr. right out of high school. To this union, Benny Jr., Mitchell, Julie and Lisa were born.
Ruth/Mom was a very kind, compassionate, generous, selfless person often doing more than what was asked of her, whether it be helping her family or praying for someone who requested it. She continued to love and serve the Lord throughout her life and wanted all to know Jesus. Her life became even more focused on prayer and family in her later years.
She was always listening and singing to gospel music and reading her bible. Whenever there was a concern or someone sick, we could count on her prayers to help us and make us feel better. She taught us there is power in the name of Jesus. We are going to miss our “Prayer Warrior”.
Her greatest pride and joy was her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who always brought a smile to her face. She always looked forward to the Bearcub basketball season. Starting from when her children were playing, she went to every game that she could and wished she could have gone to them all. At the games, she was known as Grandma Ruth to all the kids. Basketball season was her favorite season and when it was over, she would say “Now what am I going to do?”. She was a true Bearcub fan to the end.
Besides being a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she worked when she could. She worked at the Frazer Headstart and the Green Thumb Program, she served on the Frazer school board, she chaperoned many events at the Frazer school, and was an elder advisor for the Red Bottom Committee.
She was a fan of the Chicago Cubs and the Seattle Seahawks. Her go-to TV show was Gunsmoke.
She was the matriarch of our family, the glue that held us together. She was the last remaining member of her family.
She is survived by her son Benny (Karen) Todd of Wolf Point, Montana; daughters Julie (Marlin) Namyniuk of Hebron, North Dakota, and Lisa Todd of Frazer, Montana; aunt Margaret Martin of Hayes, Montana; daughter-in-law, Jeri Todd of Wolf Point, Montana; sister-in-law Teddi McConnell of Billings, Montana; adopted son Roger White Sr. of Wolf Point, Montana; grandchildren Lovell Ackerman of Bismarck, North Dakota, Landyn, Tyler, and Floyd Jr. of Frazer, Montana; great-grandchildren Keein, Azalei, Lydel, Reese, Payton, Dej and Landyn Jr. (LJ) and many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents James Sr. Fannie McConnell; her husband Benny Todd Sr.; son Mitchell Todd; brothers Joseph McConnell, Jimmy (Skunk) McConnell, and Richard McConnell; sisters Lena Wright, Rosella Murdock, Myrtice Redstone, and Florence Buck; grand daughters Arid Joy Ackerman, Angie Redstone, and Sondra Wright; adopted son Russell White; niece Rochelle (Skee) Redstone; nephews Norman Redstone, Ray Van Redstone, Kurt, Dougal, and Albert Murdock Jr.
Our hearts are heavy and we are sad, but we take comfort in knowing that there is a grand reunion taking place in heaven right now.
A prayer service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, November 9, 2020 at the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point, Montana. The funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 10, 2020 at the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point, Montana. Interment will follow at the Oswego Catholic Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements and condolences for the family can be left by using the form below.
**Due to covid-19 regulations in place, services are limited to 30 people; social distancing and masks are required.