Ruth Flaten, 57
Ruth Anne Flaten, 57, Alexandria, died September 18, 2012 at her home.
- Ruth Flaten
Ruth Anne Flaten, 57, Alexandria, died September 18, 2012 at her home.
Ruth was born September 17, 1955 in Garden City, Michigan, to Fred and Sarah (Swartz) Barnett. She moved with her family in 1971 to Alexandria, where she graduated from Jefferson High School in 1973. Later that year, she married Dale Baumann, with whom she had two children, Laura and Benjamin. On July 28 1978, in the town of Webster South Dakota, she married Paul Flaten. In the years to follow, Ruth and Paul had three children, Paula, Jesse and Samantha.
In the early 1980s, Ruth started a day care that she ran out of her home for nearly 20 years. In those years she was privileged to take care of many children, and build lifelong friendships with the families in which she was employed. Sundays in the Flaten household was spent watching the Vikings, a team of which Ruth and her family are great fans.
One of Ruth's fondest pastimes was playing bingo at VFW Post 936 in Alexandria with her many friends and family members. Ruth and Paul also spent many evenings working at the VFW where Ruth was a waitress and Paul bartended. Countless hours of Ruth's life were spent listening to country music and amongst the many artists she listened to, her all-time favorite singer was Alan Jackson. In the last years of her life, Ruth was able to see her idol live in concert, which was one of her lifelong dreams.
In 2010 in her home, Ruth suffered a ruptured aneurysm. She then battled back from the impairment with many months of recovery and therapy, with the hopes of rebuilding her life. During this time, her family and especially the love for her 11 grandchildren kept her dedicated to her ultimate goal of returning to everyday normal life. She will be missed dearly by all of those who had the opportunity to meet and love her.
She is survived by her daughters, Laura Runge-Hunt of White Bear Lake, Paula (Jamz) Johnson of Prior Lake, Samantha Flaten of Alexandria, and son, Jesse (Amber) Flaten of Alexandria; grandchildren, Benjamin Runge, Joseph Runge, Julianna Hunt, Samuel Hunt and Sally-Anne Hunt; Hudson Johnson and Lolah Johnson; Gavin Flaten and Ellie Flaten; and Jayla Flaten and Ruthie Flaten; sisters, Carol (Dave) Hoefs of Park Rapids, Peggy (Dick) Baumann of Alexandria, Tracey Barnett of Detroit, MI; brother, Brad Barnett of Alexandria; and special friend of the family, Danny Ellingson of Alexandria.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Sarah Barnett; husband, Paul Flaten; infant son, Benjamin Baumann; and son in law, Jeff Hunt.
A funeral service was held Friday, September 21 at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Alexandria with the Rev. Jerry Lanes officiating. Interment was at Kinkead Cemetery in Alexandria. Casket bearers included Jesse Flaten, Tony Mounsdon, Steve Dulski, Adam Baumann, James Johnson and Dave Spangler.
Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria; www.andersonfuneral.net.
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Tags: obituaries
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