Gertrude Ida (Kraft) Ring was born on December 31, 1928, at home near Delmont, South Dakota, in Charles Mix County, to the Reverend A.W. and Hulda (Schwarz) Kraft. She was baptized by her father at St. Paul South Delmont Lutheran Church. She moved with her family to Pennington County north of Quinn, South Dakota, in 1930 where her father was called to serve the parish of St. Paul Lutheran Church. She spent her childhood years there and was confirmed in 1941. Gert attended one year of high school at Bison, South Dakota, where she lived with her sister Paula and family, one year at Quinn High School, and graduated from Mission High School.

Her family moved to Norris, South Dakota in 1943, where she met Harold “Dick” Ring. They were united in marriage in 1945 and two children were later born: Judith and Wanda. Following that she worked at the Rosebud Indian Agency, taught at the Prairie View School, and became a full-time homemaker, where she enjoyed gardening, needlework, family history as well as caring for her family.

She was a fantastic cook and often entertained extra guests at meal time when Dick invited neighbors, salesmen, and others to share a meal with them. She served her church as organist for many years and was involved in LWML, Ladies’ Aid, sunday school, VBS, and volunteered in other capabilities as needed. She was also involved in the community as a 4-H leader, school board member, Extension Club member, and other volunteer positions. She loved her life on the farm, but following her husband’s death in 1990 and her mother’s death in 1992, she purchased her mother’s home and moved to Parker, South Dakota, in 1996. There she was closer to her sister Margaret Bousfield and again became involved in church activities at First English Lutheran Church. Gert enjoyed taking several trips with Margaret including one to Germany where they were able to visit with relatives.

In 2012, Gert moved into an assisted living facility in McKinney, Texas, near her daughter Judy. There she continued her hobbies of painting, crocheting, and writing stories and letters. We are grateful to her nieces and other relatives and friends who helped to make her days special by corresponding with her through letters and telephone calls. She was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in McKinney and loved attending as her heath permitted.

Survivors include her daughter Judy Wissner and her husband Larry of McKinney; three grandchildren: Ryan (Kristin) Wissner, Stacey (Chad) Coe, and Angela Bruns; six great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.

Gertrude was preceded in death by her husband Harold Ring; one daughter Wanda Bruns; her parents; four brothers: Albert, Walter, Emil and Alton Kraft; and six sisters: Frieda Goldhammer, Anna Sieler, Paula Fauske, Esther Wilkerson, Margaret Bousfield, and Goldie Eisenbraun.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. (CDT) on Saturday, June 23, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Norris.

Interment will be at St. John's Lutheran Cemetery in Norris.