Ruth Churchill

Ruth passed away on January 1, 2026, at St. John Circle of Care, Springfield, MN at the age of 87.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Lamberton, MN.

Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at 11:00 am at Our Savior's Lutheran Church with a private burial at a later date.

Ruth Ann (Yungerberg) Churchill was born on August 26, 1938 at Tessien Maternity Hospital in Springfield, MN, the daughter of Edna Elizabeth (Mielke) Yungerberg and Ervin Otto Yungerberg. She was baptized on September 25, 1938 at Christ Lutheran Church, Stately Township, MN and confirmed in her faith on April 6th, 1952 at Christ Lutheran Church, Comfrey, MN. She attended Brown County rural schools - District 61 and graduated from Comfrey High School in 1956. She was united in marriage on April 26, 1958, at Salem Lutheran Church in Comfrey to James Winston Churchill. Their union was blessed with two beloved daughters, Kimberly and Vicki. Jim and Ruth resided in Lamberton prior to purchasing the farm near Revere to continue the Churchill tradition in farming. Jim passed away in 2009 and Ruth moved from the farm near Revere to a home in the city of Lamberton the following year. In 2016, she met Darold Nissel who became her best friend and companion during the later years.

Ruth worked at JCPenny's in Springfield, MN after high school. She was best known for her years working at Sharpsteen Grocery and Griffiths Grocery Store in Lamberton. She will always be remembered as a hard worker and her friendly greeting to those who came into the store. She was loved by many in the community. She enjoyed reading and spending time with her family, grandkids and great granddaughters. During the years on the farm, she spent countless hours gardening and canning. She was known for her volunteer work within the community, including assisting with elections as a poll worker, selling flowers for the historical society, making quilts at church, and many other countless hours she put towards community service. She was an active member of the Lamberton American Legion Auxiliary 41 and volunteered her time to help with the many events happening. She was a long time and active member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Lamberton, MN.

She is survived by her daughter, Vicki (Kurt) Schenk of Buffalo, MN; Grandsons, Derek Schenk (Abby) of Crystal, MN, Tyler (Kelly) Schenk of Buffalo, MN, Jason (LaRissa) Oelfke of Glencoe, MN; Zakhary (Amanda) Oelfke of Glencoe, MN; Matthew (Rachel) Oelfke of Brownton, MN; and Joshua (Brooklyn) Oelfke of Arlington, MN; Great Granddaughters, Brielle Schenk, Evangelina Oelfke, Aurora Oelfke, RaeLynn Oelfke and Emberly Oelfke; special friend, Darold Nissel of Lamberton, and many nephews and nieces. Preceding her in death was her husband, James Churchill, daughter, Kimberly Oelfke, parents, Edna and Ervin Yungerberg, brothers, David Yungerberg and John Yungerberg.