Ruth Walburg

Ruth Elizabeth Walburg was called to heaven unexpectedly on June 22, 2026 at Avera Majestic Bluffs assisted living. She was one week shy of her 100th birthday. A private family service will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be sent at www.okfhc.com. Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home of Yankton is assisting with arrangements.

She was born June 29, 1926 to Walfred and Amanda (Swanson) Augustson in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She had an older sister Helen and a younger brother Paul. In their childhood they often enjoyed visiting their aunts and uncles who came here from Sweden on their farm in Elbow Lake, MN.

She graduated from Marshall High School in 1944. She worked for the Community Fund War Chest Non-profit in Minneapolis as a key punch office worker. She met her husband Charles on a double date one year after he was discharged out of the army. They married on March 18th, 1949. After he finished college in 1950 at the University of Minnesota in Fish and Wildlife services, they moved to Beaufort/Morehead City, North Carolina and lived there for 12 years. In 1962 they moved to Yankton for his job with the new Gavins Point Dam. He worked for the Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Services Federal Government for 19 years. They moved to Bowling Green, Kentucky where he worked at the Barren River Reservoir until his retirement in 1982 and they moved back to Yankton. They have two children, daughters Jody and Susan, who were born in North Carolina. Ruth and Charles enjoyed travelling to Texas, Hawaii, England, Scotland, Wales and Canada as well as wintering in Tarpon Spring, Florida for 32 years. They were members of Hillcrest Country Club until their late 80s. They belonged to several bridge and card club groups. Ruth was an avid Twins and Vikings fan and loved watching the golf tournaments on TV. She was a dedicated volunteer at Sacred Heart Hospital and the hospital in Bowling Green, KY. They both volunteered at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Yankton, preparing the elements for the sacrament of communion for the church services. She also helped many years on the funeral committee.

She was a Brownie troop co-leader for her daughter and the neighborhood girls. Many summers were fun weeks of camping in a basic tent camper around the US and Canada and once all the way to Hollywood, California. She was an avid reader and looked forward later in life to the library book deliveries to her apartment at the Bluffs. She was active in the activities there and was a charter member of the bell choir until her passing. She was a first generation American as her parents came over from Sweden. She loved to bake Swedish baked items every Christmas.

We deeply appreciated all the wonderful staff who cared for Ruth for nine years as they would their own family at the Assisted living at the Bluffs. We were blessed with great care for her there.

Ruth is survived by her daughters: Jody Nedved, Susan (Wayne) Kudera, granddaughters: Katie (Brian) Uhall, Julie (Trinity) Hurrell, and Elizabeth Nedved. Great-grandchildren: Oakley Kafka, Gavin Kafka, Lauren (Jon) Thomas and Adison Uhall. Great-great-granddaughter Elowyn. Sister- in-laws: Jeanne Augustson, Carol (John) Evert, and Peggy Vance. Many nephews and nieces.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, husband Charles (2017), brothers-in-law Bruce, Paul, Wally, Gary and Roy, sisters-in-law Gail, Ruth, Mary Jo, brother Paul, sister Helen, nephew Eric, niece Deone and son-in-law Dan Nedved.

If you are considering a memorial, please consider St. John’s Lutheran Church or the Mead Museum in memory of Ruth.