Ruth Hennen, 81
Ruth Hennen, 81, a longtime Hallock, Minn., resident, passed away at Kittson Memorial Healthcare Center early Saturday morning, Aug. 9, 2025.
On Dec. 14, 1943, Ruth Ann was born to Leander and Kathryn Nierenhausen, in St. Paul. She was the youngest of four sisters, arriving more than a dozen years after the others.
After some time, the family moved to Morris, Minn., where Ruth finished school and worked, her favorite job being a photographer’s assistant. She then met Ken Hennen, and on Feb. 27, 1965, they were married in Assumption Catholic Church in Morris. Kenny became a Minnesota Highway Patrol officer and was assigned to Hallock. So, in 1967, Ruth and Kenny moved to what would be their hometown for the rest of their lives.
There, Ruth worked at a variety of jobs, including the local shoe store and the grocery stores. And when she wasn’t working, she bowled and curled for many years. What’s more, she always had a pot of coffee on the stove for Kenny and any other law enforcement officers who might stop at the house for a break while working the late shift, or for any friend stopping over for a visit.
Ruth gave birth to five children: Rod Hennen (Shawna); Karen Soliah (Tim); Jodee Sugden (Mike); Michelle, who died as an infant; and Shannon Kronlund (Chris). They all continue to live in Hallock except for Shannon, whose family lives in East Grand Forks. Ruth and Kenny also took in Myron Hennen, Kenny’s youngest brother, where he finished high school in Hallock.
Over the years, Ruth made countless pies for school, church and community functions. And she attended lots of volleyball, basketball and soccer games as a super fan. But, most of all, she loved watching hockey from the time Rod began to play through this past winter following her grandchildren chasing their passions.
For anyone that knew Ruth they would know how stubborn she could be. But she also loved to laugh, even at herself. For instance, she was quick to tell everyone about how she called one of her kids only to tell them midway through the conversation that she couldn’t find her cell phone—the phone she had pressed against her ear.
Ruth died while in hospice at the Kittson Healthcare Center.
In addition to the children noted above, Ruth is survived by 12 grandchildren: Madyson Hennen Diamond (Ty) and Hayden, Tyler, and Brynn Hennen; Jackson Soliah (Shunay) and Kasey and Korey Soliah; Riley Sugden (Kylie), Ben Sugden (Britney) and Landon Sugden; and Grace and Lauren Kronlund; as well as great grandchildren Holden, Navy, Remi and Beckham. Ruth is also survived by one sister, Betty Budde, numerous sisters and brothers-in-law, a host of nieces and nephews, and lots of friends and others who will miss her dearly. Rest in peace, Ruth.
She was preceded in death by Kenny, who she continued to miss every day; their daughter, Michelle; Ruth and Kenny’s parents, and several siblings and in-laws.
Funeral services are scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, at 1 p.m. in St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Hallock. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Hallock. Visitation will be held at the church on Wednesday evening, Aug. 13, 2025, from 5-7 p.m. with a prayer service at 6 p.m.
Austin Funeral Chapel, Hallock, is in charge of the arrangements. www. austinfuneralchapel.com.
