Family/Spouse: Magnus Erickson. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• 1900 Federal Census: 25 Jun 1900, Stocking Precinct, Saunders County, Nebraska
• 1920 Federal Census: 12 Jan 1920, Sioux City, Woodbury County, Iowa
• 1930 Federal Census: 8 Apr 1930, Denver City, Denver County, Colorado

Notes:

A LIFE OVER THREE CENTURIES

Roseburg Oregon News-Review, January 18, 2005

Roseburg Woman Turns 109

When Roseburg resident Viki Sheldon was a little girl, she couldn't pronounce the word grandma," so she took to calling her grandmother "Bunny."
That name has stuck with Ruth Trued for decades, but lately it's taken on a different meaning. Sheldon jokes that her grandmother, who turned 109 years old on Saturday, is like the Energizer Bunny.
"She just keeps going," she said, smiling.
Born in 1896, Trued is one of the oldest women in Oregon.
"She must be at least in Douglas County," Sheldon said, "and probably in Oregon, I would think."
According to the 2000 U.S. Census, there were 15 people over the age of 100 in Douglas County and 650 people over 100 in Oregon. Twelve of those people statewide were at least 110 years old when the census data was compiled.
Trued has lived with Sheldon, who is also her caregiver, for the past nine years or so. Her grandmother spends most of her time resting on the couch in the front room of Sheldon's home, basking in the sunlight that pours in through the high wows.
Since she fell and broke her hip shortly after her 104th birthday, Trued doesn't get around the house much. She can't see or hear well and she doesn't often talk.
Sheldon's black and white cat likes to curl up with her grandmother on the couch and keep her company while she sleeps. In cat years, 18-year-old Rosie is a bit ahead of Trued in age.
"I call them my two old girls," Sheldon said.
Trued was born in 1896 in Swedeburg, Neb. She graduated from Luther Midland College and later attended the University of Nebraska and the University of Denver.
She dedicated much of her life to music, a passion that led to years of teaching piano and playing the organ for various churches.
"She was an excellent, top musician," said Jennie Nesseth of Roseburg, a longtime friend of Trued's. "Both of our children took piano lessons from her."
In 1943, Trued moved to Roseburg with her late husband, Clarence, whom she married in 1919. They soon began attending the First Christian Church of Roseburg where Clarence served as the choir director and Trued as the organist.
On Saturday, the family gathered at Sheldon's home for an intimate celebration including angel food cake, one of Trued's favorites.
Sheldon said her grandmother seemed particularly lucid that day and when she saw the cake said, "Oh, I just love that."
"She was just really with it and sweet," Sheldon said.
Members of the First Christian Church heard a special tribute to Trued on Sunday, which included a history of her life in the program. The congregation also listened to a recording of Trued playing the organ music her husband wrote.
Trued was known for her ability to "make the organ get up and dance," according to the program. Trued was unable to attend, however.
Sheldon attributes her grandmother's longevity in part to her healthy eating habits and her predilection to walking around the community for as long as she could.
"I think growing up, maybe once I saw her with a cold," she sai
Sheldon said she's thankful her grandmother is healthy enough to be surrounded by loved ones during the latter years of her life.
"In her mind," she said, "that's important."

Death Notices & Obituaries for May 27, 2005
Roseburg Oregon News-Review, May 27, 2005

TRUED, Ruth

Ruth married Samuel Clarence Trued on 28 Jun 1919. Samuel (son of Nils Trued and Johanna Mathilda Walin) was born on 20 Apr 1895 in Ceresco, Saunders County Nebraska; died on 19 Sep 1980 in Roseburg, Douglas County, Oregon; was buried on 23 Sep 1980 in Roseburg National Cemetery, Section B Row 5 Site 29, Roseburg, Oregon. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• 1930 Federal Census: 8 Apr 1930, Denver City, Denver County, Colorado

Notes:

THE TRUED FAMILY IN THE U.S.A.

ROBERT DUCRET: (Ducret from friends in France) born April 1, 1920 in Sioux City, Iowa. Graduated from Jr. High in Denver; Sr. High in Pasadena, Calif.; Jr. College at Pasadena City College. Studied piano from mother since 6. Traveled considerably during adolescence, once to Nova Scotia. Worked as precision machinist before WW2, then enlisted in U. S. Air Corps. Became cadet and was commissioned lieutenant. Trained in California, Arizona and Florida. Flew P-40

Robert married Diane Brown on 23 Apr 1950. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]