Ruth Marie McColley, Mom age 78, passed away August 9, 2024, at her home in Dodge Center surrounded by her family. Ruth fought a courageous 10-year battle with breast cancer. She leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter and kindness that touched the hearts of all who knew her.
Ruth was born on April 10, 1946, she was the 7th of 8 children to Elmer and Edna (Dahl) Borgen. She attended Chatfield high school. She met her husband Wayne at the Playmore Ballroom where they fell in love quickly and married on April 6th, 1968. They were blessed with 3 daughters and 1 son, along with raising her granddaughters Kayla and Sarah after the passing of her daughter Tammy. Ruth and Wayne moved from Rochester, MN to Dodge Center, MN in 1971, where Ruth and Wayne worked side by side building their dream farm together.
Ruth and Wayne were long time members of Faith Lutheran Church in Dodge Center. Faith was a vital part of every stage of Ruth’s life.
Ruth and Wayne enjoyed traveling all over the United States and abroad, they most enjoyed stopping at plantations in the South and exploring their rich history. They spent many years being a part of the friendship wagon train. Ruth was most proud of collecting donations for the wagon train to support the special Olympics each year.
Ruth’s greatest joy was spending time with her family. She cherished every moment with her children and grandchildren, creating lasting memories, especially on Sundays as family always gathered together. Ruth valued all of relationships among her extended family members. Her warm smile and open arms welcomed everyone into her home. She had a love for collecting angels. Ruth and Wayne enjoyed dancing the polka and waltz.
Ruth’s family remember her most of all for her donuts, meatballs and corn cob jam. She loved going out to eat, spending time with her family and her husband Wayne and going to Jackpot Junction. She enjoyed her quiet times alone, doing word find puzzles and spoiling Jax, the family dog.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Tammy; brother, Howard Borgen, his wives, Shirley Borgen and Barb Borgen; sister, Marion Phelps and her husband, Sid Phelps.
Ruth’s love extended to her 3 children, Robert (Jodi) McColley, Doreen (Allan) Nelson, Brenda (Owen) Moe, who remember her most of all for her beautiful smile and kind heart. Her 13 grandchildren, Kayla, Sarah, Samantha, Morgan, Justin, Haley, Braeden, Emery, Jacob, Jenna, Valerie, Janessa, and Ashlyn and 4 great grandkids, Jordyn, Colten, Brantley, and Brecken whom will carry her legacy of kindness and joy. Also she left behind a brother, Palmer (late Audrey) and Nancy, Eva (late Nado Jr) Bernard and Larry, Phyllis (Al) Blazing, Donna (late John) Gingrass, Linda (Stan) Scott.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Ruth’s Oncologists, Dee Smith and Dr. Haddad and the rest of Gonda 10 South team for giving us so many more years to enjoy and love her. Thank you for choosing to work in this field, you are needed, you are appreciated, and you are all heroes in our eyes. May God bless you and your sincere efforts.
Visitation will be from 4:00pm-8:00pm on Friday, August 16th, 2024, at Czaplewski Family Funeral Homes in Dodge Center, MN (25 South Street SW) and one hour prior to the service at church on Saturday. Funeral services will be at 11:00am on Saturday, August 17th, 2024, at Faith Lutheran Church in Dodge Center, MN (308 2nd St NW). Burial will take place following the service at Riverside Cemetery in Dodge Center, MN.
Family wish for memorial gifts and donations be made to Faith Lutheran Church in Dodge Center or a charity of their choice.
Blessed be her memory.
