Ruth Hoien

Ruth E. Hoien, age 92, formerly of Litchfield, MN, died on Friday, July 31, 2026, at her home in Annandale, MN. On that day, heaven gained a lovely soprano in the choir of angels.

 A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, August 7, 2026, at Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be held at Ripley Cemetery in Litchfield, MN.

Ruth Evelyn Hoien, the daughter of Maurice and Alma (Ramsey) Dyrdahl, was born on June 26, 1934, in Twin Valley, MN. The youngest of seven children, Ruth spent much of her childhood at her grandparents’ home and shared close bonds with her nieces and nephews. She graduated from Twin Valley High School.

Ruth met Quinten “Lefty” Hoien in Sunday School when she was just three years old. They grew up sharing the same values, interests, and deep sense of faith, and were united in marriage on December 26, 1955, in Twin Valley, MN. Their marriage of 70 years was a testament to faith, love and partnership.

Ruth was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend. She lived a full and enriched life, putting her whole spirit into everything she did. She was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield, where she shared her passion for choir and served faithfully in many areas of ministry, including Stephen Ministry, church building projects, prayer chains, and food service.

In addition to being a wonderful homemaker, Ruth brought care and enthusiasm to many roles throughout her life, including kindergarten para, design consultant, and bank teller. She also loved the outdoors and carried fond memories of growing up near a river. Ruth and Lefty continued that love of nature by enjoying their cabin on Spider Lake in Nevis, where time together became a treasured part of family life. Ruth was also an enthusiastic partner in Lefty’s love of sports. Over the years, she welcomed many ball players as part of the extended family, including gathering them around taco feeds to end their seasons. We also can’t forget their love for the MN Twins!

She cherished her friendships and kept them alive through visits, phone calls, card games, dominoes as well as Rummikub, music and gatherings with her new friends at the apartment.

Ruth loved Christmas—certainly for her favorite color, red—but even more because it centered the family on the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ before gifts or games began. She was proud of her Norwegian heritage and made sure those traditions were front and center in family holiday celebrations, as well as center on any wall, shelf or table in the household—uffda!

Ruth is survived by her husband, Quinten “Lefty” Hoien of Annandale, MN; children, Steven (Vicki) Hoien of Annandale, MN, Mark (Kathrine) Hoien of Maple Grove, MN, and John (DeAnna) Hoien of Buffalo, MN; grandchildren, Kristi (Mark) Abrahamson, David (Mallory) Hoien, Austin Hoien, Alexa Hoien, and Nicholas Hoien; great-grandson, Trenten Abrahamson; sister-in-law, Maurine Dyrdahl; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Michael and Naomi Hoien; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Julian (Ruth) Dyrdahl, Genevie (John) Carriveau, Mary Ann (Gordon) McDougall, Olive (Loyal) James, James Dyrdahl, and Robert Dyrdahl.

Memorials are preferred to Zion Lutheran Church