Ruth Olsen Bjornstad, 94, of Cando, ND passed away Sunday, March 31, 2019 at the Towner County Medical Center in Cando, ND.  Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 AM Saturday, April 6, 2019 at the Cando Lutheran Church with Pastor Bonnie Weaver officiating. Visitation will take place Friday, April 5, 2019 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM at the Dunnigan-Dix Funeral Home in Cando, ND. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will take place at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Cando, ND in the spring. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to: Cando Hockey Boosters P.O. Box 882 Cando, ND 58324 or Towner County Living Center Resident's Council: 701 11 ^th Street Cando, ND 58324.

Ruth was born November 22, 1924 to Dagfin and Petra (Pedersen) Olsen in Barton, ND. She attended country school in Barton and graduated from Barton High School in 1943. Ruth began her Cadet Nurse training at Rugby's Good Samaritan in September of 1943. She furthered her education in Minot, ND, Rugby, ND and Chicago, IL, graduating as a Registered Nurse. Ruth then started working in Rugby and Rolette, ND in the medical facilities.

Ruth was united in marriage to Bjorn Stenberg Bjornstad on July 5, 1947 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Devils Lake, ND. The couple moved to a farm southeast of Cando. Ruth began working at the Towner County Memorial Hospital. After raising their family, Ruth resumed her nursing career at Resthaven Manor.

Ruth had many hobbies, including: gardening, spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, bowling, ceramics, fishing, and visiting with friends and family members. She was also a baker of wedding cakes and made many for family weddings. Ruth was a member of the Homemakers Club, Sons of Norway, and she was a lifetime member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She taught Sunday school at the Cando Lutheran Church for 20+ years and especially enjoyed teaching the 3 year olds.

Ruth is survived by her children, Rollie (Michelene) Bjornstad of Cando, ND, Son-in-law, Terry Johnson of Cando, ND, Linda (James) Gibbens of Cando, ND, Jon (Kendle) Bjornstad of Dutton, MT, Julie Holien of Devils Lake, ND and LeAnn (William) Heisler of Devils Lake, ND; 20 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Gertie Olsen of Willow City, ND, Jessie Olsen of NM and Dorothy Bjornstad of Cando, ND; brothers-in-law, Pete (Joyce) Bjornstad of Cando, ND and Ray Reid of Chinook, MT; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 62+ years, Bjorn Bjornstad; parents, Dagfin and Petra (Pedersen) Olsen; daughter, Judith Johnson; great-granddaughter, Brynlee; sisters, Annie, Bernice, Dagny, Gladys, Inga, and Olga; brothers, Anton, Art, Don, Otto, Pete, and Walter.