Ruth Marie Jacobson Helgeson passed away peacefully with her loving husband, John, at her side on Sept. 22, 2014. She was born on Dec. 15, 1928 in the lakeside town of Osakis, Minn., to Dr. Jay A Jacobson, who was a dentist, and T. Marie Olson Jacobson, who taught Latin at Osakis High School. Ruth graduated with honors and attended St. Olaf College. After her junior year, she volunteered to serve with the National Student Association to help with reconstruction efforts in Europe after World War II in Hamburg, Germany. In 1950 she graduated from St. Olaf, having completed a double major in math and English and a minor in French. She was selected to be a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society.

She met her husband, John Helgeson, while in college, and they married in 1951. Following his graduation from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., Ruth then accompanied John as he served parishes in Irene, S.D. and Greenbush, Minn.; studied theology in Edinburgh, Scotland; and taught at Pacific Lutheran University in Parkland, Wash. During this time, Ruth was a busy homemaker, lovingly raising her three children, Peter Helgeson ’80, Michael Helgeson ’79, and Mary. In 1965, the family moved to Oakland, Calif. to pursue graduate study, where Ruth started her teaching career in the nearby Piedmont School District.

Ruth taught mathematics at the Piedmont middle school, helping many of her students overcome math anxiety. She made math fun and accessible by incorporating art, science, and sports themes into the curriculum. While teaching full time, she completed a master’s degree in mathematics at Holy Names College, and was promoted to Principal of Havens Elementary School in Piedmont, where she touched the lives of many young students, their teachers and families, retiring in 1991.

In 1984 Ruth and John were “empty nesters” and moved from Oakland to Walnut Creek, Calif. During their retirement, they traveled with close friends and family members to Europe and the Middle East and explored their roots in Norway. With their children and grandchildren they celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in Hawaii and their 50th in Cancun, Mexico.

As a retiree, Ruth became a student of quilt-making, designing beautiful hand-made quilts for friends and family members. In each of her quilts, she created something beautiful that conveyed her love and shared her warmth. Ruth also enjoyed reading, attending concerts and plays, and going on walks with John and their faithful dog, Daisy. She was an active member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, participating in Bell Choir, Altar Guild, Worship & Music Committee, Priscilla Circle, and the “Piecemakers” quilting group. She also served on the Lutheran Church in America’s Synod Commission on Ecumenical Affairs to strengthen links between churches. Ruth was also on a St. Matthew team for 21 years that prepares and serves dinners to families in need and to the homeless at Loaves & Fishes in Martinez.

Ruth was a member of PEO, a philanthropic educational organization with the motto “Women helping women reach for the stars.” Throughout her career and in retirement she was a tireless advocate for women in all professions, especially math and science.

Ruth was preceded in death by her infant daughter, Maren, in 1953. She is survived by her husband, John; her sister, Jane Jacobson Gelle ’54 and husband Bob; her children, Peter Helgeson and wife Sharon Lorraine, Michael Helgeson and wife Mary, and Mary Johnsen and husband Jim; her grandchildren, Greta Johnsen ’07, Jakob Johnsen, and Sonja Helgeson ’15; and nieces and nephews, including Mark Gelle ’76 P ’07 ’10 ’15 and wife Claudia Miller Gelle ’80 P ’07 ’10 ’15, Nancy Gelle ’77, Fredric Gelle ’81 P ’12 ’15, and Susan Gelle Nelson ’83 P ’09 ’11 ’15 and husband Scott Nelson ’83 P ’09 ’11 ’15.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa County, Lutheran Social Services of Northern California, or the Alzheimer’s Association of Northern California.