Ruth Resare Phalen

Ruth Resare Phalen died peacefully at her home in Lecanto, FL at Brentwood Retirement Community, on August 10, 2024, after a brief illness. Ruth was born on November 2,1929 in Chicago, Illinois, and lived a long, happy 94 years.

Ruth attended Purdue University and The Art Institute of Chicago, where she met Melvin Ostlund. They married and moved to Fort Lauderdale, FL and had two children. She is survived by her daughter, Vicki Donhowe (Erik) in Knoxville, TN and her son, Scott Ostlund in Newport News, VA. Ruth is also survived by her brother, Retired Navy Commander Ronald Resare, in Hernando, FL.

Ruth and Melvin moved to Melbourne, FL and later divorced. Ruth worked at the Melbourne Public Library as a librarian for 18 years. There she met George Phalen and they married. George had five children. Ruth and George are survived by George’s children, Paul Phalen (Jane) in Sioux Falls, SD, David Phalen (Maggie) in Sioux Falls, SD, Kathy Menasco (Tom) in Cumming, GA, Carol Hollingsworth in Raleigh, NC and Dr. Diane Phalen (Scott Henize) in San Marcos, TX. George preceded Ruth in death.

Ruth’s parents were Nils Albert Resare, who came from Sweden to Chicago and met and married Victoria Peterson Resare. Both preceded her in death. Ruth was among the youngest of 50 first cousins, both in the United States and Sweden.

Ruth is also survived by many grandchildren and great grandchildren and nephews and grand nephews. Ruth loved making Swedish pancakes, reading, puzzles, arts and crafts, knitting, keeping up with the grandchildren and nephews, and coffee with friends. She was feisty and very active up to the end, in walking all around the complex and talking to everyone and feeding the birds and the squirrels. She was loved by all at Brentwood and her friends and family around the country and world. 

A Celebration of Life and interment will be held at noon on October 15, 2024 at the Wesley Church, 2075 Meadowlane Ave., in Melbourne, FL.