RUTH E. KINNUNEN's Obituary
RUTH EMILY JUSTINE KINNUNEN, went home to her Lord after a brief illness on Thursday, November 11, 2010. She was surrounded by her children and passed very easily and peacefully.
Ruth was born on July 9, 1928 in Pelkie, MI. to Kreeta Pauline (Eilola) and George Maki. She was the third of five children. Ruth grew up in Pelkie attending the Pelkie School and she graduated from Baraga High School at the head of her class even though she was only 16! She attended the Extension Short Course Program at Michigan State University. Ruth was an active member of Kyro Lutheran Church while she lived in Pelkie. She worked at her father’s general store where they “sold everything from toothpicks to tractors”, frequently assisting “Pa” with the bookkeeping aspects of the business.
On August 25, 1950, Ruth married the love of her life, A. Frederick Kinnunen from Alston. They raised four children: Linda, Jim, Bonny, and Kenny Peter. In 1963, Ruth and Fred became foster parents through the Good Will Farm. They primarily cared for newborn babies who were about to be adopted. Later in life, when Ruth was asked how many children she’d had, she would say “39”, counting them all as hers if only for a while. She always knew they would be leaving, but she loved and cared for each one as her own. Ruth would talk with each one and tell them about their new family and home, blessing them as they left.
Ruth loved being a homemaker. She knew how to squeeze both side of a nickel together and taught her daughters how to do the same. Cooking from scratch, sewing from remnants, buying on sale and using the philosophy that there’s more than one way to skin a cat were just some of the tools she imparted. There was virtually nothing she couldn’t figure out how to do-even if that meant getting her husband to do it!
She also loved managing her husband’s bookkeeping for his Sunburst Monument and Marker business as well as maintaining the family’s rentals. From time to time, she would suggest selling a home on land contract to help a family get settled financially.
Ruth was a dedicated member of United Lutheran Church where she frequently served as congregational secretary, taught Sunday School and was a member of the Sarah Circle. Her favorite duty was to visit the shut-ins to whom she would deliver bouquets of her own special roses. She was especially glad to be an instrumental member of the Women’s Prayer Breakfast. Ruth loved that it was/is an ecumenical time of prayer and worship for the church ladies of Baraga County. She was also a board member for the Lutheran Social Services. In addition Ruth served on a variety of posts and community activities
For at least 20 years, Ruth was an active member of the “Coupon Committee”, another ecumenical group that collected coupons, put them on the products in several of the local stores. As the products were purchased, the customers got the value of the coupon and the stores gave their “pay” to the Coupon Committee. Sometimes their pay was as little as $.01. The Committee raised over $100,000 for community projects ranging from the hospital, to the ambulance, to park equipment and even the round wreaths that decorate our streetlights during the Christmas season.
Ruth loved to travel as often as she could and any way she could. Early in the 60’s, she realized the family could travel by using a camper trailer. She would make lunch right along with breakfast. The family could stop later and have a home-cooked meal right on the roadside whenever they were hungry. The year that $.19 hamburgers were on the scene, the family ‘splurged’ once a day and stopped at a drive-in for a fast meal. It was a treat!
Ruth and her husband Fred surprised many, especially their children, when they bought a motorcycle in their 50’s, joined a “gang” and toured some of the countryside. This was remarkable for Ruth in that two often-heard phrases were “I feel a draft” and ‘Turn up the heat”! Her explanation: “I dress for it (motorcycling).” Cycling and the “gang” provided many many hours of enjoyment for Ruth and Fred.
Alternatives to health care became important to Ruth early in life. She often felt she had inherited her grandmother’s interest in medicine-Grandma had even had a “black bag” like doctors did in the 40’s and 50’s and traveled from home to home whenever cures were needed. Ruth discovered “Prevention” magazine sometime during the 60’s. She followed it as best she could-and saved practically every copy! Unfortunately, most were lost in the attic fire of 2008.
Ruth enjoyed anything Finnish and promoting the Finnish heritage, collecting antiques and other collectible items, knitting and other handwork.
Ruth was passionate about anything she became involved in, but nothing more so than her daily devotions. She faithfully read all of the scriptures and studied the devotions from her church every day. Her well-worn Bible is a testament to the first place she gave to the Lord and His word in her life. She put her faith and her God first, truly attempting to “seek ye first the kingdom of God.”
Surviving Ruth are her children Linda Kinnunen of L’Anse, James (Barbara) Kinnunen of Negaunee, and Reverend Bonny Kinnunen of Iron River; grandchildren Sarah Kinnunen of Hancock and Kenneth J. Kinnunen of Negaunee; beloved sisters Elaine (James) Weiland of Novi, MI., Jean (Arvi) Jukkala of Gaylord, MI, sister-in-law Bernice Maki of Chassell, MI who was just like a sister to Ruth, and numerous nieces and nephews who were all precious to her. Also surviving Ruth are her very special neighbors and friends, Brent Geroux and Madisen and Ken Huhtasaari.
Preceding her in death were Fred, her husband of 50 years;Kenneth Peter,son: Peter, an infant son; four children lost to miscarriage; and Edward Maki, her brother and Edith Kallungi, her sister.
Funeral services for Mrs. Kinnunen were held at 1 p.m., Monday, November 15, 2010 from United Lutheran Church, L’Anse with Pastor Judy Mattson and Pastor John Autio officiating. Interment took place in the L’Anse Evergreen Cemetery. The family received friends at the church on Monday from 11 a.m. until the time of the service. Memorials may be given in Ruth’s honor to United Lutheran Church.
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