Ruth Janet Ike

From the Williston Herald Williston, North Dakota (Williams County) Sunday, April 27, 2008 WILLISTON - Ruth Ike, 84, a long time Williston resident, passed away Thursday morning, April 24, 2008, at the Bethel Lutheran Home in Williston, N.D. after a battle with cancer Ruth Janet Gafkjen was born Sept. 20, 1923, in Williston, the first of six children to Selmer and Christina (Loken) Gafkjen of rural Alamo, N.D. She was educated in Alamo and attended North Dakota Business College in Fargo, N.S. Upon completion of business college she taught school at Freeman and Ellisville Schools for two years, then worked for the Superintendent of District 8 Schools in Williston. On Oct. 4, 1947, she was united in marriage to Ralph Ike, also of Williston. They made their home in Hunter, N.D until 1951 when they returned to Williston. She enjoyed a long and happy career with Stockman Motors from 1954 until her retirement in 1967, where she served as their Office Manager. Ruth was member of First Lutheran Church in Williston. She selflessly gave of her time to her church these past years by participating in the prayer chain and calling for volunteers for many church functions. She enjoyed lining up volunteers for making the lefse for the annual lutefisk dinner. She enjoyed camping and fishing trips with her family, being a homemaker, and later cherished being a grandmother and great-grandmother. Ruth is survived by daughters, Karen Ike of Minot and Margaret and Lester Sandvik of Williston; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; Leslie and Steve Hanson of Minot and their daughters, Ashley and Nicole; Jason Sandvik of Williston and his children, Brandon and Brittany; Julie Olson of Williston and her children, Zack, Alexus, Taylor and Brayden; and Kelli Sandvik of Williston and her children, Katie and Jeremy; a sister, Eunice Van Druff of Colorado Springs, Colo.; brothers, Orval Gafkjen of Williston, Arvid and Meredith Gafkjen of Minneapolis and Allen and Diane Gafkjen of Burlington, Colo.; a sister-in-law, Eleanor Gafkjen of Williston; numerous nieces and nephews; and by her very special neighbors. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph; brother Norman Gafkjen; and her parents.