Ruth G. Gangstad Henson Papers
Scope and Contents
The Ruth G. Gangstad Henson collection consists of one photo album which contains photographs, newspaper clippings, programs, and other military memorabilia detailing her life, along with the lives of other WAVE and Navy members, in the 1950s. Highlights include her swearing in, graduation, wedding, and other outings with friends. The photographs of men and women in uniform give a sense of the WAVE and Naval communities she was part of and some of the newspaper clippings focus on women in service. The album also includes photographs of family and travel. Also included is a folder with item and catalog descriptions from the source of acquisition.
Dates
- Creation: 1954-1956 and undated
Creator
- Ruth Gangstad Henson (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.
Biographical Note
Ruth Georgine Gangstad, daughter of Helen Angermeier Gangstad and the late Gerhard Gangstad, and step-daughter of Kenneth Bagaason, was born in the 1930s and grew up in Grenora, North Dakota. Around 1954, Gangstad enlisted in the Navy’s Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) program, which was established in 1942 to mobilize women into military roles. Gangstad was stationed at a training center in Maryland and a 1955 program shows her graduating from the U.S. Naval Hospital Corps School. It is unclear what her exact role was. Ruth Gangstad married Mack Henson, a Navy service member, sometime before her graduation. Later, Ruth Gangstad Henson and her husband had two daughters and moved to Guam.
Full Extent
0.25 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The University of North Dakota's Elwyyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections purchased the photo album from Max Rambod Rare Books in 2026.
Bibliography
Williams County Historical Society. The Wonder of Williams; a History of Williams County, North Dakota. Vol. I. (Williams County Historical Society, 1975), p. 724.
“U.S. Navy WAVES Recruit Ruth Gangstad of North Dakota Photo Album.” MaxRambot, www.MaxRambod.com. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- This collection was processed and described by students Asha McCaughan and Harlie Volk (History 240) in 2026.
- Date
- 2026
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections Repository
Chester Fritz Library
3051 University Ave Stop 9000
Grand Forks ND 58202-9000 US
701-777-4625
und.archives@und.edu