Ruth Renner, 96 of Deadwood, died Friday, September 30, 2011 at the Lead-Deadwood Regional Hospital.

Ruth Evelyn (Hinman) Renner was born to Winfred Hinman and Emily (Hughes) Hinman on March 27, 1915 at the family farm in Knox County NE. The family moved to Wall, SD in the winter of 1923. Ruth's uncle Sam Hinman met the train in Wall with a buckboard and horses. They had blankets and heated rocks to keep them warm until they reached grandma and grandpa Kellums, where they were served hot chocolate by the potbellied stove. Then back into the buckboard for the final 13 miles north of Wall to the homestead. This was a day and 1/2 trip by buckboard.

Ruth was the oldest of six kids. She began at an early age helping to raise her siblings. Even staying out of school two extra years until her brother Robert was old enough to walk with her to the Cedar Buttes country school.
Ruth saw her future husband Richard for the first time at age seven. He road horseback into the school yard and she was smitten. She told her friend she was going to marry that boy. At the age of 20 she did just that. She and Richard C. Renner eloped to Rapid City and kept dodging her dad, Winfred Hinman. Finally he caught up to them and said he'd been chasing them trying to get a cigar to celebrate their marriage.

Their marriage lasted through the great depression, World War II, influenza outbreaks, pneumonia and five energetic kids. Ruth lost Richard in 1962. His passing left Ruth to raise her 11 yr old, Alice by herself. Moving to Deadwood SD to be closer to family, Ruth began her career as a domestic house keeper for numerous families in the area. She took great pride in pointing out all the homes she took care of. In her own way she helped to clean up Deadwood for 30 years. After retiring Ruth loved to travel anywhere, anytime. Richard and Carol led Ruth and Joyce on trips to England. Darlene was a constant companion on shorter trips to shop and visit family. Alice and Dan had more adventures four wheeling with Ruth riding shotgun. As age and arthritic joints slowed her down, her family was there to help her. She was able to spend her life in her home due to the loving care from her son, Clayton and her daughter, Winnie. Everyone was involved including the youngest of the grandkids. She was truly loved and admired by all.

Ruth is survived by sister, Edith Strandell, WI, children; Winnie (Chuck) Ferris, Deadwood, Darlene ( Al) Hagen, Spearfish, Richard Renner, Laredo, TX, Clayton Renner, Deadwood and Alice (Dan ) Trussell, Hulett, WY She adored and took an active roll in raising 18 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren and 7 great great grandchildren. So many lives were shaped by Ruth's belief in hard work, honesty, and kindness to everyone she met.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Richard, her parents, Winfred and Emily Hinman, three brothers; Clayton, Robert and Lerrill, sister, Joyce Hinman, daughter in law, Carol Renner and two great-grand children, Kimberley Ferris and Mathew Springer.

Memorial services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, October 5, 2011 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Lead with Pastor Bruce Adams officiating, inurnment will take place at the Wall Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the care of the Lead-Deadwood Memorial Chapel in Lead.
Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com