Ruth Fitterer, 85, of Dickinson, died Sunday, July 26, 2026, at St. Luke’s Home, with her family by her side. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 1, 2026, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in New England, with Fr. Dennis Schafer officiating. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in New England. Visitation will be from 6 to 7 p.m. Friday at Ladbury Funeral Service in Dickinson, followed by a Rosary and Vigil at 7 p.m. with Deacon Mike Mellmer presiding. Visitation will continue one hour before the Mass at the church on Saturday.
Ruth Marie Mellmer was born on All Saint’s Day, November 1, 1940 to Michael and Lena (Magelky) Mellmer in Havelock. She attended and boarded at St. Mary’s School in her elementary years and graduated from New England High School in 1958. After graduation, she worked for H. W. Ness Insurance until her marriage.
She married Wilfred Fitterer on June 28, 1962. Together in 1966, they purchased Standard Oil bulk plant which Willie operated until his death on October 9, 1983. Ruth continued to run and expand the business of Fitterer Oil, Inc. and Fitterer Sales, Inc. with her sons and very loyal employees.
Wilfred and Ruth were blessed with four children, Gregg, Todd, Vicki, and Chris.
Family was very important to her. She was very proud of all of her children’s accomplishments and she cherished her role as grandmother. She attended every activity they were involved in and wore her Saints, Tiger, Cougar and Midget gear proudly. She was known as “Aunt Ruthie” to many of her nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. She always had a listening ear and a lending hand to those that were in need.
Ruth had a variety of interests. She immersed herself in reading and every room in the house had books that were read by her. She loved music and attended concerts, bandshell concerts, was a season pass holder for the Medora Musical and the On Broadway shows at the Bismarck Event Center. Ruth loved baking and her holiday treats were often on request from the grandkids. She passed her love of baking down to her granddaughters. She was enthusiastic in watching Virgil Hill boxing matches with her nephew and fishing from the dock with her great nieces and nephews. Her adventurous side led her to travel to 6 of the 7 continents (Antarctica being the exception). She had wonderful tour groups and travel companions to accompany her on her excursions.
Her involvement in her community was apparent as she was involved in many organizations. She was a member of St. Mary’s Altar Guild, the New England Women’s Club, the Red Hat Ladies, the New England Senior Citizens, the New England and South Heart Lions Club, and St. Pius Verein. She was an instrumental force in renovating the New England Memorial Hall.
She served as treasurer for the St. Mary’s School Foundation for many years. She also served on the boards of Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Center in Dickinson and the Sacred Heart Monastery in Dickinson.
Ruth is survived by her children, Gregg, New England, Todd (Adele), New England, Vicki (Riley) Mattson, South Heart, and Chris (Rhonda) New England; ten grandchildren, Alexia Fitterer, Bismarck, Paige (Travis) Renshaw, Elmhurst, IL, Austin (special friend, Taylor Ohlhauser) Fitterer, Mandan, Ivy (Jordan) Rath, Bismarck, India Fitterer, Minneapolis, MN, Ian Fitterer, Bismarck, Jada Mattson (special friend Colter Braaten) Denver, CO, Jett Mattson, Dickinson, Addison Fitterer, New England, and Mark Fitterer, New England; two great grandchildren, Zander Fitterer, Bismack and Evelyn Rath, Bismarck; in-laws, Irene Fitterer, Rose Fitterer, Wilma Fitterer, Mary Ann Bosch, and Lorraine Reinhardt; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Wilfred Fitterer; daughter-in-law, Melanie Fitterer; siblings, Raymond (Alvera), Roy (Marlys), Rueben (Alice), in-laws, Eleanor Fitterer, Clarence Fitterer, Peter Fitterer, Louis Bosch, Lorraine (Tony) Braun, Eugene Fitterer, Michael Fitterer, and Margaret Burwick.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Mary’s Foundation, Domestic Violence and Crisis Center, New England Community Renovations Project (NECRP), or the Sacred Heart Monastery in Dickinson.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Mary’s Foundation, Domestic Violence and Crisis Center, New England Community Renovations Project (NECRP), or the Sacred Heart Monastery in Dickinson.
