Ruth JoIda Nesheim Curtis

Ruth JoIda Nesheim was born in Dupree, SD, on 2 August 1941 to Melvin and Marjorie (Jeffries) Nesheim.  She was welcomed by older siblings Donald and David.  The family was later graced with three more children, Florence Rose (Rose), Janice Ann (Jan) and Vincent (Vince).   

Ruth grew up in Dupree, SD, attending Dupree Elementary and High School until her senior year, when the family moved to Philip, SD.  She graduated high school at Philip and married Curvin (Curt) W. Curtis in 1961.  To this union was born a son, Tony Michael Curtis.  Ruth and Curt were divorced two years later.   

Ruth and her son Tony lived in California in various cities, until their move back to Philip, SD.  It was in Philip that Ruth joined the National Guard in 1974, going to boot camp at the age of 34.  A groundbreaker, she was the only woman in her National Guard unit for a number of years.  Ruth worked for the NG as an internal auditor for 26 years, traveling to multiple sites to, as she said, “snoop and discover” things in various units of the NG and then tell them what they were doing right or wrong!  She enjoyed the work she did with the NG, along with all the traveling she was able to do.  

After her retirement with the NG, she worked for a time at the Canyon Lake Senior Center in Rapid City SD.  She still loved to travel, and she and her sisters, Rose and Jan, got together often to explore, discover, and enjoy life, including a memorable vacation to the Dominican Republic.  She and Jan took numerous trips together, to Canada, France, Egypt, and Hawaii. They also thoroughly enjoyed a 5-week driving trip they took around the western United States.   

Ruth and her granddaughter Devi were very close.  They would bicker like sisters and cry and laugh like friends.  Ruth was a great role model for her grandchildren, always reminding Devi to find a man who could buy her jewelry, and not to settle for anything less in a man. 

Ruth lived in South Dakota, Virginia, and later in life moved to Washington State to be closer to her sister Jan.   

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Donald and David, and sister Rose.  

She is survived by her son Tony, her sister Jan and her brother Vincent, and grandchildren Devi-Anne Ruth Schroeder and Peder Nesheim Schroeder.