'Grandma Ruth,' 105, Takes Volunteerism To A Whole New Level
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- "Grandma Ruth" Knelman is 105-years-old, and has spent her free time working with kindergartners for 32 years at the same school.
You will find her each Tuesday at Jefferson Community School in Minneapolis, helping 5- and 6-year-old students learn how to read. She also helps with classroom chores.
It is not just the children that keep Ruth coming back for more. She says it is the workload teachers juggle.
"I don't know how they do it, really," Ruth said.
Grandma Ruth is more than a reading tutor; she helps the kids obey the rules.
"I'm a policeman here. I am," Ruth said. They'll be poking others and looking at me. I say, 'Don't look at me."
And it appears the teacher appreciates her help.
"She makes the children, whatever I do, 'Now thank Grandma Ruth,' [and] 18 to 20 kids [say] 'Thank you [laughs]!'" she said.
When she is not volunteering, Grandma Ruth is teaching cooking classes at her temple and travelling to warm places.
"I go to Las Vegas every year to visit a niece, and last year sat outside. One-hundred-fourteen [degrees]!" she said.
Grandma Ruth shared advice for a healthy, long life.
"The main thing is stress, that's the killer," Ruth said. "I never get stressed out."
She will be 106-years-old on May 21, and says she would love to live forever.
"I don't want to leave," Ruth said. "I really don't, and that's not possible."
She admits her lifestyle is not what doctors would recommend. She doesn't drink water every day, but does enjoy a daily happy hour. And she doesn't exercise, but loves to sit out in the sun.
Minneapolis Public Schools are currently accepting applications for volunteers for summer school. Click here for more information on the process and requirements.
