RUTH ELAINE VOLK

Ruth was born Nov. 6, 1943 and she passed away on September 19, 2025. She was the second of four children born to Ole and Mary Fedje of Rugby, North Dakota. Ruth and her family lived on a farm southwest of Rugby which was homesteaded by her Dad’s parents when they came from Norway in the late 1890’s. Ruth treasured several items from Norway. At age four, Ruth moved with her family to Glasgow, Montana. However, they missed Rugby, family, and friends so they moved back to Rugby where they owned and operated the Center Motel.

Ruth was a member of 1st Lutheran Church where she was confirmed. She was baptized at Zion Lutheran Church near the farm. Many times she traveled to Sunday School by horse and sleigh - Ruth treasured her Certificate of Perfect Attendance! She was an active church volunteer for decades.

Ruth attended Rugby schools from kindergarten through high school, graduating in 1961 and then attended the University of North Dakota. Four years later she graduated with a B.S. in Nursing. Ruth began her nursing career in Denver working at the University of Colorado Medical Center and later moved to California where she worked at Stanford University hospital for several years. During this time she met and married Alvin Spencer. Together they had two daughters Robyn and Nicole (Nikki). Carina, their German exchange student, also became their daughter.  While the girls were young, Ruth earned her school nurse credential and enjoyed her school nursing career for 24 years.  During these years Ruth and her family traveled extensively, including long summer trips in a motorhome and a 5 ½ week trip to Europe with Nikki. Ruth was active in the LA County School Nurse Association and served as 2nd VP for many years. Ruth combined her love of school nursing and travel by attending International School Nurse conventions in Alaska and Wales. After retirement she continued to travel abroad.

In 2004 Ruth married Len Volk. They lived in Temescal Valley, California in the winter and Apple Valley, Minnesota in the summer. Together they cruised the Mediterranean, Baltic Sea, and the Panama Canal. Ruth’s passion has always been spending time with her family and she loved visiting them and taking them on trips whenever possible. Trips to Hawaii, New York and Germany were quite special, along with a Caribbean cruise with her Mom and sisters.

Ruth’s family was always close to her heart and she will be missed immeasurably by her husband, daughters, and grandchildren. Ruth was preceded in death by her brother, Robert, sister, Shilah, and her parents. She is survived by her husband, Len, her sister, Linda, her daughter, Robyn (Jose), and their children Martina, Reed, and Evelyn, and her daughter, Nikki (Adrian), and their children Bella and Savannah. She is also survived by Carina (Oliver) and their sons Vincent and Magnus and by step-daughters, Tracy and Tara (Dan), and their children McKayla and Leo. 

Ruth’s parting messages exemplify the way she lived her life and are encapsulated through two quotes from the Dalai Lama: “Be a good human being, a warm-hearted affectionate person. That is my fundamental belief” and “Having a sense of caring, a feeling of compassion will bring happiness or peace of mind to oneself and automatically create a positive atmosphere.” Additionally, Ruth embodied the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson: “You cannot do a kindness too soon because you never know how soon it will be too late.”

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the City of Hope or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

Visitation: Friday October 3, 2025 4-8pm  In Grimes-Akes Family's "Grace Chapel" Corona, California.

Funeral service: Saturday October 4, 2025 10am In Grimes- Akes Family's "Grace Chapel" Corona, California. 

Celebration of Life: Saturday October 4, 2025 1:30 Holiday in Express, Corona

Arrangements entrusted tot he care of Grimes-Akes Family Funeral Home, Corona, California.

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