Ruth Nellie McCarron, the daughter of Peter J. and Julia (Whitney) McCarron, was born March 2, 1910, in Sherburn, Minn. She graduated from Sherburn High School in 1927 and attended Mankato State College, graduating in 1929 with a teaching degree. She began her teaching career in East Chain, where she taught for two years. Ruth was united in marriage to Vern "Cy" Dahlke on March 30, 1931, in Rockwell City, Iowa. They made their home in Sherburn, where Ruth continued teaching elementary school for the next 30 years. Cy passed away on Dec. 24, 1967. During her lifetime, Ruth was an avid golfer, bowler and bridge player. She greatly enjoyed coffeeing with her friends and following her Twins and Vikings. She was especially proud to be mentioned in the book, "Daughters of the Game," which chronicles the first era of Minnesota girls high school basketball. She also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ruth was a member of the Methodist Church and the Sherburn American Legion Auxiliary.

Those left to cherish her memory are her two daughters, Carron Klukow of Sherburn, Minn., and Deborah Danielson and fianc Steve Swift of Fairmont, Minn.; grandsons, Todd Klukow of Minneapolis, Minn., and Nicholas Danielson of Minneapolis, Minn.; granddaughters, Trudi Detert and her husband LaMar of St. Michael, Minn., and Courtney Danielson of Brooklyn, N.Y.; great-grandchildren, Brady Paul and Makena Ruth Detert; sister, Celia Forstrom of Fairmont, Minn.; sister-in-law, Doris Krumwiede of Sherburn, Minn.; nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Vern "Cy" Dahlke; six brothers, two sisters, five sisters-in-law and three brothers-in-law and other relatives.

"My grandmother, Ruth Dahlke of Sherburn, so enjoys being a part of Daughters of the Game. Athletics played an enormous role in her life from childhood up to her current age of 95 years (she watches more sports than my husband).

Gram experienced some serious health problems this summer, but throughout her ordeal she could not wait to order her copy of Daughters of the Game. Now the book sits next to her armchair where she can read, re-read and share the stories with visitors.

Thank you for all of your hard work and diligence in breathing life back into these charming accounts of early women´s basketball."

From Trudi Detert, St. Michael, MN

Trudi followed in her grandmother´s basketball footsteps as a Sherburn Raider

O Ruthie, you are a legend,
Daughter, sister, teacher, friend
Grandma, aunt, mother and wife,
You lived your life YOUR way in a hundred years,
You were the fabric of our life.

Born in this town in 1910,
And living until 2009,
What wonderful gifts you have given us all,
Time after time after time.

As a girl you were always on the go,
You couldn’t wait to get out the door,
Running or playing or swimming,
It was an exciting world to explore.

You were a gifted athlete in every sport,
Your praises teammates and fans would sing,
You won a championship for Sherburn,
And became “The Lady of the Ring”.

I’ll never forget one day on the course,
It was a learning, walking war,
As my dad and I shot forty-eight,
And you shot forty-four.

Fox Lake was your favorite playground,
Catching crappies and scaling with a spoon,
And when the sun set in the west,
We know you skinny-dipped under the moon.

But your greatest talents may have been indoors,
Around a table with family or friends,
We’re certain there was no one better
At telling stories and making up the ends.

 You liked to raise a social glass,
You always had wisdom to relay,
And you didn’t mind a little gambling,
As long as Cy was there to pay.

And WOW! When the music came on,
Oh, how you loved to dance!
The waltz, or the trot or the Ruthie two-step,
The men didn’t stand a chance.

So many nights…and so much fun,
We all marveled when you stood on your head,
You always did things the Ruthie way,
We liked your hats – especially the RED.

As a teacher your gifts were many,
Your love of knowledge passed to many young minds,
But character was always most important,
As you kept them straight between the lines.

You loved this town and it loved you,
So many students – so much pride,
You must have kept one on the council,
So you could keep parking on the lefthand side.

What a life you have lived touching a hundred years,
What a gift you have been to us all,
What an example you’ve set for living,
Laughing – loving – giving….and having a ball.

We know your wisdom will live on in all of us,
From politics to home remedies to romance,
Your love and spirit will always be HERE in us,
As for me….I can’t wait - for our next dance.

By Jeff McCarron (nephew)
February 2009