Ruth Adler Knelman Obituary (1910 - 2022)

Ruth Adler Knelman, age 111, passed peacefully at her home in Minneapolis on May 16, 2022 with the comfort of family and friends at her side, five days before her 112 birthday. Preceded in death by her husband, Edward; parents, Irving and Bella Adler; sister, Francis Arnold; and brother, Alfred Adler. Survived by son, Kip (Suzanne) Knelman; grandchildren, Ben, Joey (Jake), and Jak (Alex) and great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Clay Knelman. Ruth's zest for life and desire to always look forward to the future kept her young. Until the very end she lived independently with a mind and body that allowed her to enjoy all the fruits of life until very recent times, with her phone ringing often for everything from coffee dates to bridge club; if you needed an opinion on the newest, trendiest restaurants in the city, Ruth had probably been, with a review to share. Ruth spent her first years living in Hudson Bay Junction, Saskatchewan before moving with her family to Winnipeg, Manitoba. She married Edward Knelman in Winnipeg and they eventually moved to Grand Forks, North Dakota. In the early 1950's they moved to Minneapolis, her beloved home since then. “Grandma Ruth,” lives on in the hearts of so many, “and how!”... to use her words. She was deeply involved with her community and has long volunteered at local organizations including at Mt. Sinai Hospital, Hadassah, and over 30 years at Jefferson Community School and Temple Israel early childhood center. Ruth was a fixture at Temple Israel for 70 years. It was there that she got to meet multiple generations of families who in many cases became close friends. She brought many people together to share special moments around her table and led cooking classes (though she is adamant to be remembered for more than her – very excellent – matzo ball soup). Ruth could never say enough about her dear friends who sustained her through the years and motivated her love of life. Funeral service WEDNESDAY, May 18, 2022 at 11:00am, TEMPLE ISRAEL, 2323 Fremont Ave. S., Mpls. Shiva Wednesday, 7:00pm, Temple Israel. Masks required in-person. Services also available via zoom, email zoom1@hodroffepstein.com for the link. Memorials preferred to the Knelman Family Endowment Fund at Temple Israel.