Arla Ruffridge

Thursday, January 13, 2022 10:10 pm

Arla Ruffridge, age 95, of Decorah passed away peacefully on Jan. 13, 2022, at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah. Funeral services will be held at the Decorah Lutheran Church at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022 with Pastor Peter Kowitz officiating.  Burial will be at the Lutheran Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be one hour before the service. Masks are required at the visitation and funeral. Schluter-Balik Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Arla Nadean Smorstad was born Nov. 18, 1926, the daughter of Albert and Gertie (Hanson) Smorstad in Decorah. She was baptized at the Canoe Ridge Church and confirmed at Decorah Lutheran Church in 1941, then graduated from Decorah High School. She was united in marriage with Palmer Ruffridge Nov. 10, 1946. Together they had three children: Dennis (Patricia) of Cresco, Dean (Pamela) of Indio California and Paul (Michele) of Bradenton, Fla.

Arla worked at the Northwestern Bell Telephone office in Decorah until operations were eliminated and then worked the switchboard and information desk at Luther College until retirement in 1996. Her mother taught her sewing and quilting, which she continued for many years. She was a member of the Decorah Lutheran Church Circle and VFW Auxiliary. She volunteered at the Vesterheim Museum and helped with mailings at the Decorah Lutheran Church. She loved her aquacise classes with “The Bobbers”.

Arla is survived by eight grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. Arla was preceded in death by Palmer in 2013, and by her parents.