Ruth Lovaas

Ruth Elizabeth (Shold) Lovaas, 98, of Grand Marais, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 28, 2026, with family by her side.

Ruth was born December 9,1927, to Andrew and Esther Alfreda (Backlund) Shold in Grand Marais, MN, and grew up on their farm. She graduated from high school in Grand Marais and attended Bethel College.

Before she married Donald Lovaas in 1950, she worked at her father's Kaffestuga and Joynes Federated Store.

Don and Ruth raised their five children in Minnetonka, MN. Ruth was a loving, devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, who cherished her years as a homemaker. When the kids were grown, she worked for several years at Cargill, Inc., in the executive kitchen and dining room.

Ruth's passion was baking. Delicious desserts and breads continuously rolled out of her oven, to the delight of her family and the many friends that she and Don hosted in their home.In 1987, she won the Minnesota State Fair Sweepstakes, blue ribbon, for her almond coffee ring.

Ruth was also gifted musically. She played the piano, was a member of the church choir, and sang in a ladies' trio, performing music medleys at churches on Sunday evenings. Ruth and Don were avid concert-goers, attending events in the Twin Cities; Hinckley; and Gulf Shores, AL, where they spent many winters. As a couple, they were very active in their churches in Grand Marais, Minnetonka, and Gulf Shores.

Ruth enjoyed traveling. A precious memory was accompanying her dad to Sweden when she was 20, getting to meet her Swedish relatives. Don and Ruth made subsequent trips to Sweden together. They drove across the U.S. in their pickup camper, visiting scenic areas, venturing as far as Alaska and Newfoundland. They made many trips to Canada with Ruth's siblings and their spouses, returning with coolers full of wild blueberries.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband of 71 years, Donald Lovaas; her parents; brothers Rueben, Lloyd, Lester, Roger, David, and Erland; sisters, Betty Brummer, Bernice Howard, and Fern Lovaas; son-in-law Tim Nelson, and daughter-in-law Carol Lovaas.

She is survived by her children, Jean Nelson, Jim (Wendy) Lovaas, Julie (Peter) Birgersson, Steve (Nancy) Lovaas, and Mark Lovaas; grandchildren, Lisa (Reese) Ricke, Lydia Nelson, Jonathan (Shandelle) Lovaas, Michael Lovaas, and Claire Lovaas; eleven great-grandchildren; brother Walden (Gail) Shold; many nieces and nephews; and dear, close friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Grand Marais Evangelical Free Church, 120 East Fifth Street, Grand Marais, MN, with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to Grand Marais Evangelical Free Church.