Ruth Dockter

Ruth Dockter, age 89, of South Shore, SD, died on Wednesday, November 16, 2016, at the Jenkins Living Center in Watertown, SD.

Funeral services will be on Tuesday, November 22, 2016, at 1:30 p.m. at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Milbank with Rev. Bill Cornelius officiating. Burial will follow in the Milbank City Cemetery. Visitation will take place on Monday, November 21, from 5-7 p.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank and will continue on Tuesday for one hour prior to the time of service at the church.

Honorary bearers include Ruth’s grandchildren: Ben and Hana Dockter. Casket bearers will be Allen Aden, Keith Aden, Gerald Larson, Daethal Dockter, Randy Dockter, and Dana Dockter.

Ruth Hilke (Aden) Dockter was born on November 20, 1926, on the family farm southwest of Milbank to Dell and Hilke (Tjaden) Aden. She was baptized on October 12, 1927, and confirmed on June 2, 1940, at Salem Lutheran Church in Milbank. Ruth grew up on the family farm and attended Grant Center #6 country school through the 8th grade. She worked for many years assisting neighbor ladies with housework. In 1946, Ruth moved to Milbank where she worked for a year at Schads bakery. She also worked at Bleser Rexall Drug Store in Milbank from 1948-1949.

On September 25, 1949, Ruth was united in marriage with Lowell D. Dockter, son of Otto and Linda (Karges) Dockter, at Salem Lutheran Church in Milbank. Following their marriage, they moved to the Gooch farm northwest of South Shore and began farming. They purchased the farm in 1964 and, although they retired from farming in 1990, Ruth and Lowell continued to live there to this day. Ruth also worked for 15 years on the election board in Mazeppa Township, Grant County, SD.

Ruth was a member of Emanuel Lutheran Church in Milbank. She was also a member of the Mazola Club. As a farm wife, Ruth enjoyed helping with many farm duties. She also took pleasure in gardening, sewing, and cooking. Ruth cherished time spent with her family and was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.

Blessed to have shared Ruth’s life is her husband of 67 years, Lowell Docker of South Shore, SD; daughter, Marcene Dockter of Watertown, SD; sons: Merle (Sheila) Dockter of Billings, MT, and Dwight Dockter of South Shore, SD; grandchildren: Benjamin and Hana Dockter of Billings, MT; brothers: Reuben Aden and Darreld (Avis) Aden, all of Milbank, SD; sister, Loretta (Don) Meister of Burlington, WI; sisters-in-law: Delores (Eldon) Aden of Watertown, SD; Carol (Glen) Aden of Milbank, SD; Evelyn (James) Aden of Milbank, SD; and Eunice (Henry) Aden of Stillman Valley, IL; and many nieces and nephews.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Chely Ann Dockter; infant daughter, Darla Mae Dockter; brothers: Eldon, Glen, James, and Henry Aden; sisters-in-law: Lorraine Aden and Norma Aden; and nephew, Wayne Aden.