Ruth S. Jacobson
Ruth Jacobson (nee Skinsnes), a long time resident of Kenyon, died on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at her assisted living home in Edina, MN.
Born in China, made of Norwegian parts. That was how Ruth liked to describe herself. Those two heritages were lifelong influences for her. Ruth Solveig Skinsnes, named by her older brother who had scarlet fever, was born April 14, 1924 in Sinyang, China. Her parents were medical missionaries who arrived in China in 1915. She had two older siblings, Olaf and Phoebe. Growing up in China in the midst of poverty, wars and disease, her childhood experiences were far different than most of ours. Sister Hilda, a Lutheran Deaconess, helped deliver her and provide education in her early years. Later schooling occurred at boarding schools, which entailed long periods of time away from her parents. She learned self reliance, which served her well throughout her life. Forced out of China by war in the late 1930s, she finished high