Ruth Catherine Zeidler

Ruth Catherine (McDonald) Zeidler passed away at Cornerstone Assisted Living in Plymouth, Minnesota on September 8, 2026.

She was born in West Albion Center, Minnesota on July 18, 1932, the hottest day of the year. She was delivered at home by Aunt Elma (Forare) Lantto and Dr. Lester Bendix.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband Harlan, brother Ralph, parents Joe and Elsie McDonald, and infant twin daughters.

She was the family matriarch and historian. Ruth was loved and will be missed by her family: daughter Rebecca (Joe) Anderson, son Robert (Joanne) Zeidler, grandchildren Kristine (Brandon) Johnson, Alex (fiancé Taylor) Anderson, Robyn (AJ) Baker, Ethan (Katie) Zeidler and seven great-grandchildren.

Ruth attended Gunnery Public School, the historic and rural one-room country school in French Lake Township. Ruth went on to graduate from Annandale Senior High School in 1950.

In 1955, Harlan and Ruth were married at Bethlehem Middleville Lutheran Church. A wedding dance followed at the infamous Maple Lake Pavillion where music was provided by the legendary Wally Pikal Polka Band.

In 1962 the Zeidler family moved from south Minneapolis to the growing suburb of Crystal where they purchased their first home on Welcome Avenue. Ruth enjoyed being a homemaker and she also worked and retired at Honeywell. After Harlan’s death, Ruth moved to a new townhome in Plymouth. She was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

We are grateful to Ruth’s extended family and her friends that called, visited and remembered her with cards and prayers. We appreciate the staff at Cornerstone Assisted Living and Memory Care that served her with love and dignity.

A celebration of Ruth’s life will be held on Friday, October 9th at 11am with Visitation at 10am at Westgate Church, 705 County Hwy 101 in Plymouth, MN 55447

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: True Friends (formerly Camp Friendship)10509 108th Street NW, Annandale, MN 55302

This is in honor of Ruth’s brother Ralph who attended this camp for those with special needs in the 1960s and 1970s.