Ruth K. Kranzler, age 88, of Brookings, died Monday, July 3, 2006, at Brookview Manor in Brookings. Memorial services will be 10:30 A.M. Thursday, July 6, 2006, at First Presbyterian Church in Brookings, preceded by interment at Greenwood Cemetery at 9:30 A.M. Friends may meet with the family for refreshments after the service in the church basement. Memorials may be sent to the Carolyn Kranzler Shield Scholarship at S.D.S.U. Ruth was born in Crow Rock, Montana, on February 18, 1918, to Rev. Daniel and Pauline (Keck) Klein. She is survived by her loving husband of 68 years, Albert W. Kranzler, whom she married in Cathay, North Dakota, on June 2, 1939. She shared her passions for music, singing, golf, gardening, travel, fishing and camping with her husband, Albert. Ruth graduated from Beulah, North Dakota, high school, attended Jamestown College, and the University of North Dakota. She achieved her Masters Degree from South Dakota State University, and studied an additional year at Arizona State University. Ruth was a highly respected professor of Child Development and Family Relations at SDSU, and retired after 23 years of service. She received an Outstanding Educators Award in 1974-1975. She was a member of P.E.O., PHI KAPPA PHI, The National Association for the Education of Young Children, Retired Faculty of SDSU, Presbyterian Women, Kiwanis Wives, Home Economics Association, and the First Presbyterian choir. Among her many achievements are: Acting Head of CDFR at SDSU (1979-1980), initial representative to the National Head-Start Program where she helped establish Head-Start programs throughout the state as well as trained Head-Start workers and established day-care standards. Survivors include her husband, Al Kranzler, of Brookings; her son, Stan and his wife Carolyn Kranzler of Camarillo, California; seven grandchildren: Karen Shield Glover, Dan Kranzler, Jeff Kranzler, Tom Kranzler, Susan Ruble, Scott Feagley, Carrie Hong; and two great-grandchildren, Cara Glover and Olive Kranzler. She is also survived by three sisters: Esther Wheeler, Viola Boese, and Freda Reddig. Ruth was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Carolyn Louise Shield.