Memorial services will be held Saturday, June 26, 2021 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at the AmericInn Lodge in Chamberlain, SD.

Memorials in Ruth's honor may be directed to the Platte Care Center 601 E. 7 ^th Street Platte, SD 57369

Ruth (Houska) Surat was called home to her faithful Savior Nov. 16, 2020 at the Platte Care Center at the age of 105.

Ruth was born on March 20,1915 to Ed and Sophie (Novak) Houska in Eagle, SD.  In 1919 her family moved to Bijou Hills where they operated the general merchandise store.  Ruth attended the Bijou Hills School on the hill for eight years.

In 1934 she married Alvin Surat.  Their home was blessed with 5 children; Walter (who died in 1964), Karen (who died in 2020), Wayne, Carol, and Carmen.

In 1942 they returned from Manchester, WA where they spent a year during WWII and took over the Bijou Hills Merchandise Store that her mother, Sophie Houska, operated.  Ruth not only worked in the Bijou Hills Post Office where her father, Ed Houska, was postmaster, Ruth was the Bijou Hills correspondent for 55 years, 1946 through 2001, first writing the local news for the Pukwana Press Reporter and then the Brule County News and Chamberlain Register.

Ruth was the Bijou Hills Church pianist for 60 years.  She was a member of the Ladies Circle both for Bijou Hills and Ola Church which she attended after the Bijou Hills Church closed.

She enjoyed her home and gardening.  Ruth and Alvin enjoyed traveling making many trips to Calif to visit their two daughters, Karen and Carol.  They made a trip to Virginia to visit their daughter Carmen, which evolved into a trip up the east coast to New York City.   They loved camping often fishing at Sylvan Lake in the Black Hills.  After Alvin passed away in 1997, Ruth spent 15 winters in California with her daughters.

Ruth had a flawless memory and throughout her life she was the great source of family history and the history of the Bijou Hills area.  Her family valued these incredible stories and many stopped to gain knowledge of their families' history.  Throughout her life she continued to be the source of her family's strength.  She always had a way of making those around her feel special.  Her love for each was precious.

She taught our family that God does not promise an easy life but He does promise to be with us.  Trusting Him gives us the strength to live out His purpose for our lives.  She never complained and was deeply grateful for everything God had given her.  Her heart and prayers were filled with gratitude for the Lord's graciousness.  Today she is rejoicing and praising God.  She leaves us a legacy that will carry on.

Ruth had resided in the Platter Care Center since 2011.  She leaves behind 3 children: Wayne (Pat) Surat of Bijou Hills, SD; Carol (Bob) Smith of Upland, CA; Carmen (Rick) Arrowood of Woodbridge, VA.  9 grandchildren: Craig (Bridgette) Winston, Lori (Bob) Urbatsch, Wayne Surat Jr., Alana (Mike) Johnson, Chrsiti (Kelly) Winterholler, Robert Smith, Tim Smith, Sara (Chris) Whitehead, Dana (Kelsey) Arrowood.  15 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband Alvin Surat 1997, two children Walter (1964) and Karen (2020), one grandchild Lisa Surat Wandler (2016), her parents Ed and Sophie Houska, her brothers Floyd and Bueford Houska, and her sister Pearl Mennette Ruppert.

Condolences for the family may be left in the guestbook on this page.