Ruth M. Holdorf

Ruth Mary (Jordan) Holdorf, age 88, of Winona, passed away on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at Benedictine – St. Anne in Winona.

She was born on November 12, 1935, in Winona, to James and Marian (Newman) Jordan, Jr., and graduated from Winona High School in 1953.  Ruth was united in marriage with Richard C. Holdorf on April 14, 1962, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Winona, and he preceded her in death on January 27, 2021.

Prior to her marriage, Ruth was employed with the St. Paul Dispatch and Pioneer Press in St. Paul, MN, and then with the Winona Daily News and the Diocese of Winona paper, The Courier.  In 1959, Ruth was proud to have been hired as the first woman police officer for the City of Winona.

Ruth and Richard left Winona in 1962, moving to various places as Richard’s Naval career required, including Fort Campbell, KY; Pensacola, FL; Kenitra, Morocco; Yokohama, Japan; and Norfolk, VA.  Following Richard’s retirement from the military, they returned to make their home in Winona.

Together with her sister, Jean, Ruth owned and operated the Yarn Barn, from 1974 – 1981, which was a retail yarn and needle arts store.  She later operated a home day-care from 1984 – 1992, and in 1995, Richard and Ruth lived in their motor home in Branson, MO, where Ruth worked at the gift shop, Ozarkland, and at the Osmond Family Theater.

Ruth was a long-time member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Winona.

Ruth is lovingly survived by her children: Marti Adank, Winona; and Matthew (Claudia) Holdorf, Winona; grandchildren: Dalyla, Raven, and Dakota Adank; Amber, Nathan, and Ashley (Martin) Holdorf; great-grandchildren: Dustin and Daisy; sister: Jean Baker; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and many special friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband and her parents.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 12:30 PM on Thursday, February 15, 2024, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Winona, where visitation will be held in the Church Commons on Thursday from noon until the time of the Mass.  Fr. Russell Scepaniak will officiate.  Ruth will be laid to rest in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Ruth supported many charities throughout her life.  If you would like to donate in her honor, please send memorials to the Winona food shelf, or to our local humane society.

The family would also like to give a special thank you to the staff of Benedictine – St. Anne and Winona Health Hospice for the loving care they provided, and to John Mulyck and the funeral home for his kindness and their service.

Online condolences or memories may be left for Ruth’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.