Ruth Thelma Reeves, age 87, of Hartford, formerly of Blair, died on Sunday, January 26, 2014 in the Hartford Health Care Center in Hartford.

Ruth was born on July 6, 1926 in Whitehall to Lynn and Annette (Strand) Toraason. She attended the Blair schools and was baptized and confirmed in the Zion Lutheran Church in Blair. Ruth went to nurses training at the Ancker Hospital in Saint Paul, MN.

Ruth was married to and divorced from Irving Reeves.

Ruth worked in Labor and Delivery at Luther Hospital in Eau Claire prior to her retirement from the Gundersen Lutheran Hospital in LaCrosse where she worked for 27 years in Labor and Delivery.

Ruth was an accomplished seamstress and sewed clothing for herself, friends and family. She would look in a department store window, draw the picture of a dress or outfit she liked and would go home and design the same outfit by piecing together patterns to look similar. Ruth also enjoyed shopping and had an eye for a good sale.

Ruth loved her grandchildren dearly and enjoyed spending time with them. Her last years were spent living with her daughter and family in Hartford under the care of her daughter, Linda. She enjoyed watching church services on Sunday morning from Bethel Church on television since she was mostly confined to home due to her health issues.

Ruth is survived by her daughter, Linda (Moody) Bragg of Hartford; three grandchildren, Jason Bragg of Cedarburg, Tanya Bragg of Hartford and Tami (Jason) Kramer of Woodstock, GA; two great-grandchildren, Joseph Thomas Kramer and Jenna Marie Kramer both of Woodstock, GA; a brother,
Richard (Carol) Toraason of Blair; a sister, Donna (Eldon) Friede of Blair; many cousins, nieces and nephews and in addition, her very special friend, Viv (Eddie) Walleser of LaCrosse.

In addition to her parents, Ruth was preceded in death by a sister, Lennice (Norman) Thompson of Ettrick and a brother, Lyman (Lorraine) Toraason of Blair.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 3, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. in Blair Lutheran Church West with burial in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery both in Blair. Pastor Barbara Bruneau will officiate. Friends may call one hour prior to the service.

Memorials may be designated to the Blair Lutheran West or Bethel Lutheran Church (TV services).

The Jack Funeral Home in Blair is assisting the family with arrangements.