Ruth Freida Jessen Tipsword

Ruth Freida Jessen Tipsword, the beloved first daughter of Morris and Ilse Jessen, was born on July 9, 1931, on the family farm near Lodgepole, Nebraska. She peacefully passed away at her home on June 3, 2026, at the age of 94, leaving behind a legacy of love, dedication, and cherished memories.

Ruth graduated form Lodgepole High School at the remarkable age of 16 and continued her education in Omaha, Nebraska, at the National Career School for Airline Communication. In 1949, she moved to Pine Bluffs, Wyoming, where she farmed and raised her children, Diana, Debra, and Doug.

Throughout her life, Ruth found great joy in simple pleasures. She loved playing cards, bowling, bingo, traveling, and enthusiastically supporting all of her grandchildren's sporting activities.  She also enjoyed shopping on QVC, browsing Chico's, and wearing her favorite Dansko shoes.

Ruth played softball for the PB Barrett's and even traveled to Salt Lake City to compete against a semiprofessional team, where she was the only player on her team to get a hit and reach the base.

She is survived by her three children: Diana (Gary) Mercer, Debra (John) Childress, and Doug (Victoria) Kunau; eight grandchildren; twenty-two great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; and one sister, Rose Jessen of Pine Bluffs, WY.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Caring Edge Hospice or the United Methodist Church in Pine Bluffs.

The Funeral service for Ruth will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2026,10:30 AM at Pine Bluffs Methodist Church; with an interment to follow at Pine Bluffs Cemetery.