Ruth (Lorin) McGrane

On Saturday, 18 Oct 2025 Ruth Emma (Lorin) McGrane, was called home to her Lord. Her work finished, her journey of 97 years 7 months and 22 days complete. She passed peacefully onto Angels wings at 2:14 AM. with her family by her bed.

Ruth Emma Lorin was born to parents Emil and Esther Viola (Anderson) Lorin on 27 Feb 1928 at 4:30 PM as dusk approached. Born at home on the Lorin farm in Compton Township, of East Otter Tail county, Minnesota. She was the family's third child following after Rose and Wallace. Baptized 6 May 1928 at the Swedish Lutheran Church 1/2 Mi south of their home and confirmed there on 18 Jul 1943. She attended District 107 rural school house a mile north of home (now 595th Ave). In the spring of 1942 she met a young man at the intersection of her road and the Ottertail Cutoff. He was riding a Pinto pony. Jack Francis McGrane dismounted and she rode the pony to the school house and did so every day after. In her teens she attended Wadena High School and graduated on 28 May 1946.

After graduation she worked at home with her mother, and also in Wadena housekeeping for her fathers sister and husband. Later she worked for the Wadena Co-op Creamery performing clerical duties. In late winter of 1950 Jack, recently discharged from the Air Force, entered the creamery office, they talked and eventually rekindled their earlier relationship. Ruth and Jack were married on 10 Apr 1951 at the Lorin home in Compton. They settled into a small cottage on the McGrane family farm which abutted the Lorin farm. On 2 Jul 1951 Ruth was blessed with the birth of a son. The following four years gave them two daughters. Ruth continued her clerical work and Jack continued helping his father until John Henry ceased farming in the fall of 1954. So Jack and Ruth packed up two kids and one infant and “headed west” to Minot. There were years of travel with new homes in Grand Forks, St. Paul, West St Paul, Crystal, New Hope, Overland Park, Ks and back to Bloomington to mention a few. They added two more daughters and a son in Overland Park, Ks. Along the way, they found new jobs; adventures and travels that led them to “nest” in Burnsville, MN in their twilight years.

The late 60's thru early 70's were a flurry of graduations, weddings and kids moving about. In 1972 Ruth, began working at State Farm, now doing accounting on computers. She retired in 1992 tired of the drive into State Farm. She took care of elder neighbors until they would pass

on. She must have known she would need help someday. Ruth also began to spend time with her nine grandchildren followed by the arrival of fifteen great grandchildren and great, great, grandchildren over the years.

Ruth was preceded in death by Jack Frances her spouse, parents, Emil and Esther Viola, her brother Wallace, sister Rose, and daughter Patricia Viola. She is survived by children; son Daniel Jack McGrane (Anne), daughters, Barbara McGrane Ruth , Virginia Ann Sibley (Cal), Rebecca Sue McGrane and son John Alan McGrane.

White Funeral home in Burnsville, MN prepared Ruth for burial. Both Ruth and Jacks cremains are in the care of Karvonen Funeral home in Wadena. The funeral on 7 Nov 2025 begins at 10:00 AM with visitation, a memorial service at 11:00 AM followed by a noon luncheon and a trip to Compton Lutheran Cemetery in Compton Township of Otter Tail County for burial and their final resting place. Gifts and cards may be directed to either Barbara McGrane, John Alan McGrane or Daniel McGrane.

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