Ruth Elaine (Naas) Morrison passed away on December 4, 2022 in her home. She was born October 8, 1951 in Crookston, Minnesota, the fourth child of Daniel and Adelaide (Clemetson) Naas. Ruth grew up on the family farm in Mentor, MN. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church in Red Lake Falls, MN and attended school in Mentor through the tenth grade, then graduating from Crookston High School, Crookston, MN in 1969. She attended the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, majoring in occupational therapy, completing her degree at University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. After graduation, she enlisted in the U.S. Army in the Women's Army Corps as a nurse and later served in the Arkansas National Guard as a dental technician. Working in the Veterans Administration as an Occupational Therapist, she also earned a Master's Degree in counseling from Central University in Conway, Arkansas in 1979. She then worked as an Occupational Therapist in Fayetteville, North Carolina with the Veterans Administration; later for Duval County Public Schools in Jacksonville, Florida.
Ruth was a kind, gentle, and trusting soul who enjoyed spending time with family and friends and often invited them to stay with her at her timeshares. She loved being on the go all the time and could be seen attending local functions and cultural events clad in her trademark colorful attire and jewelry. Whenever possible, she enjoyed the therapeutic qualities of the ocean and would often simply sit or walk along the shoreline. Her favorite vacation spot in Florida was Epcot Theme Park, which brought her immense joy and supported her love of cooking and delicious food. Stopping by thrift shops and garage sales was a favorite pastime. An avid traveler, she roamed the world, visiting dozens of countries and all seven Continents, including China and Thailand, the homeland of her two adopted children. Her ancestral homeland, Norway, was her favorite country that she visited four times. As a longtime member of the Sons of Norway, it allowed Ruth to indulge in the culture and traditions of Norway. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. She was preceded in death by her parents and two siblings, Corrine Roch and Dale Naas.
Left to cherish Ruth’s memory are her three children: Franklin (Rita Tweed) Morrison of Jacksonville, FL, Michael (Jill) Morrison of North Port, FL, and Mariah Morrison of Raleigh, NC; two grandchildren Wyatt and Sylvia Morrison of North Port; and three sisters: Gwen Johnson of Fosston, MN, Shurleen Adams of Thief River Falls, MN, Dana (Hans) Fossum of Royken, Norway; and numerus nieces and nephews.
The family plans a service to celebrate her life at a later date. Those desiring may make donations to the a charity of their chosing.