Ruth Jones

Inman — Ruth Jones, 104, of Inman, died Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at her daughter's home in Inman.

Visitation was held Sunday, July 28, 2024 at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill with a rosary.

Funeral services were held Monday, July 29, 2024 at St. Theresa's Catholic Church south of O'Neill.

Burial was held Tuesday, July 30 at Hope Cemetery south of Newell, SD.

Memorials may be made to the family for future designation.

Ruth was born on Feb. 19, 1920 to Harry and Ada (Greene) Cunningham in Newell, SD.  She grew up during the Great Depression and it had a lasting effect on her life; she learned to do without and be happy with simple things. Ruth attended Newell School and she spoke about having to walk to school because her family didn't have the money to drive her the mile into town. Ruth graduated from high school in 1938.

Ruth met Clem Velder as a junior in high school at a dance. She had heard of him as he drove a “robin-egg blue” Chevy convertible. They got married on Dec. 27, 1938 in Newell, SD. To this union four children were born Gary, Michael, Kathleen and Eileen. The couple first made their home in Lead, SD where Clem worked for Homestake Gold Mine. During World War II, the gold mine shut down and workers were told to join the Army or become farmers. Ruth and Clem moved to Newell where they bought a farm which later became the Velder Dairy.  Sadly Clem passed away from cancer in 1973; little did we know Ruth would survive him by 50 years! Ruth ended up selling the farm. Then she took care of her aging parents for quite some time and traveled as much as she could, mostly with Senior Citizen or church tours or family. Ruth has been to all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, 11 European countries and the Holy Land. She made a photo album and wrote up a story for every trip she took and cherished looking through these albums in her later years.

  At the age of 80, Ruth married Art Jones on Oct. 28, 2000 in Newell.  Art owned a cabin in Spearfish Canyon where they enjoyed staying. They were happily married for 10 years until his health deteriorated. In 2012, Ruth moved to O'Neill to be closer to her daughters. Art passed away in 2013. Ruth moved into Kathleen and her husband Richard's home in 2020.

She enjoyed reading, especially non-fiction books, particularly biographies, memoirs and history. She was a letter-writer and always looked forward to letters from friends and family. She also liked playing dominos and doing word search puzzles. Ruth was always interested in what was going on around the farm. She especially enjoyed visits from family.

  Ruth is survived by her four children Gary (Linda) Velder of Newell, SD, Mick (Judy) Velder of Belle Fourche, SD, Kathleen (Richard) Sobotka of Inman and Eileen (Ken) Seeley of O'Neill; 16 grandchildren; 52 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Clem Velder in 1973; husband Art Jones in 2013; and five brothers and sisters Mabel Woods, Bob Cunningham, Donald Cunningham, Lois Jackson and Betty Brown.