Ruth Kozan

Ruth E. Kozan, age 94, of Waseca, MN, passed away Tuesday, December 9, 2014, at the Lake Shore Inn Nursing Home in Waseca.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of The Sacred Heart in Waseca, with the Rev. Gregory Leif, officiating. Interment will be held at the Calvary Cemetery in Waseca.

Visitation will be held at the church on Saturday from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.

Arrangements are being completed by the McRaith Funeral Home & Crematory of Waseca.

Ruth Evelyn Iverson, the daughter of James and Leora (Carlton) Iverson, was born on November 1, 1920 in Blooming Grove Township, Waseca County, MN. She attended Waseca High School and graduated with the class of 1937. Following high school Ruth attended the Minnesota School of Business. Ruth's working life began at E.F. Johnson Company and it was there that she met her future husband, F. Joseph Kozan, after reading his resume and seeing that he played the accordion, like she did, and that was the beginning of their courtship. They were united in marriage on April 17, 1946 at the Sacred Heart Church Rectory. After some time they purchased the Waseca Music Company from D.E. Perrin and began their business career with the community of Waseca and the Waseca Schools. They were the very first Grand Marshall's of the Waseca Marching Classic in 1988 and were instrumental in its beginning. Ruth was one of the organists at Sacred Heart Church for over 60 years and she also played at many other church's and at different events in Waseca and the surrounding area. Ruth was the first recipient of the Waseca Rotary Club's "Service Above Self" award in 1997. She was also awarded the Bishop's Medal from the Winona Diocese, after being nominated by Fr. John Kunz for her dedication to Sacred Heart Church. Ruth's accomplishments and service to the community were things that she was very proud of and something that she would never take for granted.

She is survived by her six children, Dr. Anita Kozan of Minneapolis, MN, James (Judy) Kozan of Waseca, Marcia (Albert) Freeman of Rapid City, SD, John (Dianne) Kozan of Medina, MN, Roberta Kozan of Waseca and Roger Kozan of Minneapolis, MN; by thirteen grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren; by her sister, June Anderson of Inver Grove Heights, MN and by other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister, Lois Mjolhus and by two brothers, Edgar and Harry Iverson.