Ruth Olive Morrill, 86, of Brookings, SD, peacefully passed away on July 16, 2023 at Trouvaille Memory Care Suites in Excelsior, MN.

Ruth was born on June 8, 1937 to Frank & Olive Hammer in Franklin township, SD. She was the youngest in her family which earned her the nickname Babe Ruth. As the daughter of a farmer, she and her 3 sisters were hard workers from a young age. Their chores included threshing, shocking corn and chopping wood. The Hammer sisters also created their own fun by putting on talent shows and beauty pageants for their parents. After graduating from Franklin High School in 1955, Ruth went on to study at South Dakota State College (now SDSU). She received a BS in Home Economics in 1959 and then moved to Harrisburg to teach high school Home Ec.

Ruth married Keith Morrill in 1961. In 1968 they moved to Brookings where she continued to teach as a substitute. After a few years she began a career as a nutrition counselor at WIC. She enjoyed applying her knowledge of nutrition to help others and many of her clients became friends. Ruth later worked as Activities Director at United Retirement Center where she loved creating and leading activities for 13 years. Before retiring, she worked several years as a lab technician at Occuscreen.

Ruth's many interests throughout her life embodied her kind, caring, and energetic nature. She served many roles in the United Methodist Church including her favorites of youth leader and camp counselor. An avid runner, she finished countless races including a couple marathons. She also stayed active with yoga and aerobics with the To Be Fit group at the Wellness Center and she regularly attended local dances for the last 20+ years. She enjoyed nature, noting that one of her favorite adventures was canoeing and camping in the Boundary Waters with friends. She loved gardening, sewing and sculpting clay. She was recently honored for 55 years of membership in P.E.O. which supports educational opportunities for women.

Ruth is survived by her children Mike Morrill (Julie) of Highlands Ranch, CO, Debora Morrill of St. Paul, MN, granddaughter Ashley Shank of CO, sister Millie Gross of Madison, SD and special friend Lennis McClung of Arlington, SD. She was preceded in death by daughter Lynn Marie who passed away as an infant, sister MaryLou Kidman, sister Betty Hamilton and ex- husband Keith Morrill.

A celebration of life will be held at Brookings United Methodist Church on Saturday, Sept 30, with visitation at 9:30 a.m. and service at 10:00. Immediately following, family and friends are invited to Franklin Cemetery near Chester, SD, for a short service at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Alzheimers's Association or the PEO, Chapter BA, Brookings, SD.