Ruth Picasso, 88 of Spearfish, SD passed away on Tuesday, August 4, 2015 following a lengthy illness.

Ruth "Ruthie" Elaine Hanson was born on October 26, 1926 to Henry and Stella Hanson near Garretson, SD. She attended school in Garretson and Sherman, SD and graduated from Washington High School in Sioux Falls, SD. Ruthie attended secretarial school and along with her sister, Doris, lived and worked in Sioux Falls where she would meet the love of her life, Joseph F. Picasso.

On May 30, 1947 Ruth married Joe at Beaver Valley Lutheran Church in Valley Springs, SD after a whirlwind courtship. They settled briefly in eastern South Dakota before moving to the Black Hills in 1952. They moved to Spearfish in 1955 where they have been life-long residents.

Ruth worked at various businesses in Spearfish including JCPenney, Gate City Dairy, the Spearfish branch of the Bank of Belle Fourche (Pioneer Bank) and the Holiday Inn. She was involved in numerous organizations including the Jayceettes, VFW Auxiliary and the Lookout Memorial (Spearfish Regional) Hospital Auxiliary. She was also a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church.

Ruth bowled in the Wednesday morning league for many years. She enjoyed camping, lunches and "play dates" with her numerous friends. She also loved rummage sales, and you would find her hunting for bargains most weekends in the summer. She delighted in spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Ruth passed away at the David M. Dorsett Healthcare Center in the compassionate care of Northern Hills Hospice.

Ruthie is lovingly remembered by her husband of 68 years, Joe Picasso; sons, Jeffrey (Diane) Picasso of Stockton, CA and Stephen (special friend Barbara Smith) Picasso of Spearfish; daughter, Kristi (David) Stadler of Spearfish; grandchildren, Nikki (Bud) Synhorst, Mandy (Aaron) Sestak, Mike (Sara) Stadler, Nick (Katrina) Stadler, Alex Picasso and Matthew Picasso; nine great-grandchildren and her nieces, nephews and their families.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Stella Hanson; sisters, Viola (Jim) Russell, Doris (Paul) Nystrom and Mary Lou (Mike) Martinez; brother, John (Marilyn) Hanson; daughter-in-law, Patricia Picasso and grandson, Jesse Picasso.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 AM on August 13, 2015 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Spearfish. Burial will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established to benefit Hospice of the Northern Hills and Our Savior's Lutheran Church.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Crematory Service of Spearfish. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com