Ruth Alice Proksch

Ruth Ideker Proksch passed away on February 3, 2026 at her home in Bay Harbor Assisted Living in La Crescent MN (formally Springbrook). She was born November 27, 1939 to William and Pearl Ideker and was the fourth child of seven. She was raised on a farm outside of Brownsville, MN where she attended a 1-room school from grades 1-8 and then went to Caledonia High School where she loved to play saxophone and was very active in 4-H. While growing up on the farm she loved her horse Cricket and her Welsh pony Buck.

After high school Ruth worked at Lutheran Hospital for a time and then went to the Twin Cities and attended nurses’ training at Miller Hospital where she earned her LPN degree. While working as an LPN at Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse WI, she met and fell in love with William “Bill” (or as she would call him in their married years; Willie P) They were married on May 13, 1961 at Zion Evangelical Church in Brownsville, MN. They made their home in Rochester, MN where she worked in surgery at Methodist Hospital. Periodically they would travel for Bill’s work to places such as Denver, CO, Dayton, OH and Hartford, CT.

Ruth and Bill were so happy when their daughter Sheri arrived. Then they moved to Stockton, MN, and their son, Kurt followed 3 years later. Ruth did in-home daycare while her two children were growing up. She was very active in their community and church. Ruth and Bill loved to go dancing. They would go all over to dance to Polkas and waltzes. They also had a great time snowmobiling with their children and friends and even went out to Wyoming to snowmobile.

Later they moved to Brownsville, MN and Ruth started working at La Crescent Health Care Center. She worked there for around 24 years and that is where she met her dear friend Jane Darling. They stayed close friends right up to the end. Ruth enjoyed entertaining family and friends at their earth home, playing cards, dominos and other games. Whenever she made her homemade crepes her son, Kurt was very happy! Other people loved them too.

Ruth and Bill belonged to a Campers’ Club where they made many friends. They both were very involved in Apple Fest for a time, where they enjoyed all the friends they made along the way!!

Ruth had a strong faith in the Lord and she and Bill were instrumental in helping establish Messiah Lutheran Church in La Crescent, MN. Ruth is survived by her daughter Sheri (Blaine) Nichols, son, Kurt Proksch, grandsons Julian (Christina) Smith, Seth (Meghan) Smith, step-grandchildren Dalton (Jackie) Nichols, Alison Nichols, Great grandchildren Adley, Triton, Lyla, Macie, Dawsyn, Lennyn and Weston, siblings: Phyllis Buchner, Delmer (Dorothy) Ideker, Arliss (David) Seymour, Kathy Fitzpatrick, sisters-in-law Letha Ideker, Jean Ideker and many nieces and nephews that she loved.

Ruth’s Christian Funeral will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2026 with visitation at 10:00 AM and the service at 11:00 AM at Messiah Lutheran Church, 825 Jonathan Lane, La Crescent, with lunch immediately following. In lieu of flowers or plants please give memorials to Messiah Lutheran.

The family of Ruth Proksch would like to extend a very loving THANK YOU to her extended family at Bay Harbor (Springbrook) who she loved dearly. They meant the world to her and her family and we LOVE you all !!