Obituary of Loretta Jane Ring

Age 89 of Falcon Heights passed away at United Hospital on 7/31/15, 2 days before her 90th birthday. Preceded in death by brother John Yourd and sister Lee Fitts. Survived by her husband John Ring, daughter Sue Ring-Jarvi (Roland), son Steven Ring (Molly Redmond), grandsons Ross Ring-Jarvi and Mike Ring (Flannery Clark). Loretta was born in Clinton, Iowa, August 2, 1925. After training at the Jane Lamb Hospital, she became a nurse in 1947. She met John Ring in Clinton, where he was recovering from WWII injuries and they married in 1947. After she graduated from Macalester College 1963, she started a second career, working for 26 years as an elementary teacher in the St. Paul Schools. However, dates and statistics do not begin to describe this loving, generous, complex, outgoing, athletic woman. Ice Hockey became a passion and almost a 3rd career. She started playing at age 47 with a group of Roseville women and continued playing with the U of MN Club Team and the Flyers Women’s Team until age 81 (and was featured in a short TPT documentary). Loretta was a great hockey advocate–recruiting, coaching and inspiring girls and women of all ages. She received the Joe Burke Award from USA Hockey, plus Hall of Fame Awards from the Women’s Hockey Association of MN and also the MN High School Coaches Association. She started the Jane Ring/Sue Ring-Jarvi Girls’/Women’s Hockey Fund in 1997, for a graduating high school girl hockey player. She cosponsored the Blue J’s, Bandits, J Hawks, and other women’s hockey teams. In addition, she worked with Macalester College to create their Women’s Hockey Club, and funded its first years. Her computer provided satisfyingly fast contact with her beloved family and friends nationwide. She was also an avid contract bridge player, and will be missed by several groups. For decades, she worked with her dear friends in the PEO Sisterhood group on projects to help provide education to girls in need. She was an active member of New Life Presbyterian Church, 965 Larpenteur Ave, Roseville. On Friday, August 7th, a memorial service will be held there at 11:00 a.m. preceded by a time to chat with family and view photos from 9:45-11:00. A reception will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Jane Ring/Sue Ring-Jarvi Girls’/Women’s Hockey Fund preferred. Burial will be private at a later time.