Ruth Doran

Ruth Ann Williams-Doran passed into God’s hands on August 4, 2026, at Benedictine Living St. Catherine’s Nursing Home.

She was born on February 13, 1944, in Pelican Rapids, MN, to Charles and Ella Williams. She grew up in Norwegian Grove in Ottertail County, MN, on the farm for the first 18 years of her life. She attended Happy Knoll District 201 rural one-room country school for seven years, then on to Pelican Rapids High School, where she graduated in 1962.

The summer of 1962, she attended the Clay County fair in Barnesville, MN, where she met Ardon Doran, and their relationship started on a Farris Wheel ride. That fall, Ruth moved to Breckinridge, MN where she worked as a nurses-aide while Ardon was in Wahpeton attending NDSSS. The next summer, Ardon and Ruth were married on July 19, 1963, at North Immanuel Lutheran Church in Norwegian Grove.

They went to Duluth, MN for their honeymoon and settled in the Fargo/Moorhead area where they purchased a home in North Moorhead, MN. It was during this time, their son Mike was born in 1964, and their daughter DeVonne was born in 1966.

They moved to Ray, ND in 1969, where Ruth was busy raising two children. In 1974, they moved to the Barnesville, MN area to live closer to family after Ardon’s Dad had a life-threatening accident. It was during this time that Ruth started singing with her sister Charlotte and her daughter Cindy. This trio traveled throughout several counties singing gospel music.

Ruth was involved in church where she taught Sunday School, led in-home bible studies, and worked at the Barnesville Nursing Home. In 1976, they built a new home 10 miles SE of Barnesville. During this time, Ruth worked for a Chiropractor in Moorhead for several years, then another Chiropractor in Barnesville until Ardon became the manager where he worked. During this transition, Ruth no longer worked outside the home. They eventually built a new home in Abercrombie, ND in the early 1990’s.

Ruth and Ardon moved into Wahpeton in 2002 when he retired. Ruth enjoyed living close to DeVonne and spending time with her grandkids in Wahpeton.

Ruth was highly involved in her church, teaching Sunday School, leading bible studies, and singing duets with Ardon and quartets with friends for many years. But one of her favorite events was serving at the community Thanksgiving meal her church hosted. She also enjoyed going on road trips around the area and trying new places to eat. Her family’s best memories are her amazing cooking and baking. She loved to bake and would share her treats with others. Ruth enjoyed her five grandchildren, Tyler, Elise, Heather, Michael, and Derick. Her focus was always being there and available to the grandkids. She made sure she taught them about Jesus and the importance of her faith. All of her grandkids have wonderful memories of staying at her home.

She loved serving people and loved serving the Lord, who was her personal Lord and Savior. Her faith in Jesus Christ never wavered. Her faith in God influenced people wherever she went. Two days before she passed to be with the Lord, she was still attempting to sing when those around her bed were singing gospel hymns for her. She praised the Lord until the end.

She is preceded in death by her husband Ardon, her parents, Charles and Ella Williams, brother and sister-in-law Irvin and Dorothy Williams, brother-in-law John Nordgaard, and Don Doran.

She is survived by her children: Son: Mike (Della Doran) and Daughter: DeVonne Haarstad, grandchildren: Tyler Haarstad, Elise (Jesse Barlow), Heather Haarstad, Michael Doran and Derick Doran, great grandchildren: Aryahna and Avalon Doran, sister: Charlotte Nordgaard, brother: Darrel (Lavonne) Williams, sister: Grace (Ken) Swenson, sister-in-law Deb Doran, and many nieces and nephews. Her family meant the world to her. She will be greatly missed here on earth, but is at home with her Lord and loved ones who have been waiting for her in Heaven.

A celebration of life service will be held at Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton, ND on Thursday, August 13, 2026 at 11:00 am with a reception to follow. Her family gives thanks for unwavering love and dedication to all the lives she touched.

Ruth’s faith, compassion, and gentle strength will live on through her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Please make any donations directly to your organization of choice, in honor of Ruth.