A Funeral Mass for Ruth (Velder) Jones, age 104, of Inman and formerly of Newell, South Dakota will be at 10:30 am on Monday, July 29, 2024 at St. Theresa's Catholic Church south of O'Neill.  Rosary will be prayed at the church at 10 am prior to the funeral.  Visitation will be from 5-7 pm on Sunday, July 28, 2024 at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill with a Rosary at 7 pm.  Burial will be at 2 pm on Tuesday, July 30, 2024 at Hope Cemetery, south of Newell, SD.  Ruth passed away on Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at her daughter's home, south of Inman, NE.  Arrangements are entrusted to Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill.

Ruth Cunningham was born on February 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 December 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 October 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, NE, Eileen (Ken) Seeley of O'Neill, NE; 16 grandchildren; 52 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; many nieces and nephews.

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