Ruth Virginia Baker (née Almquist) passed away on Saturday, August 27, in the company of three of her sons. Born on September 19, 1926, she was sixth of seven children of Gust W. Almquist and Anna (Rosell) Almquist. Both Gust and Anna were Swedish immigrants. They met in Red Oak, Iowa, and were married in the Swedish Bethlehem Lutheran Church, in Red Oak. All seven of their children were baptized and confirmed in the same church. Like many immigrants, Gust was a tenant farmer in Lincoln Township.
All seven of the brothers and sisters graduated from Wales Lincoln High School. Ruth was Valedictorian of her high school class. After high school, Ruth became a cadet nurse, receiving training at Immanuel Hospital. She was married to Harold Lynn Baker on the twenty first of September 1946.
After the war, the young couple farmed for several years, at first renting and later purchasing their acreages, and becoming the parents of 4 boys in the interim. The family moved to Racine in March, 1958. All four sons attended public schools in Racine, and are graduates of Washington Park High School. First son (Harold) Leslie was also Valedictorian; class of 1966. Daniel graduated in 1968, Geoffrey in 1969, and Gregory in 1972.
Ruth was employed by the Unified School District for 20 years, retiring as a secretary at Giese School in December of 1988. Ruth enjoyed reading, writing and receiving letters, flower gardening and cooking, as well as listening to good music. Ruth was well known for her sometimes outrageous, sometimes salty sense of humor, and in later life her iconic red watch cap. She was a strong believer in education; all of her sons played musical instruments. She is now reunited with her parents and her six brothers and sisters, along with her husband and lifelong love, Harold Baker.
She is survived by her sons and their families;
Harold Leslie and Bernadette (Busutil) Baker of Walnut Creek, California; Daniel Martin Baker (La Antigua, Guatemala), Geoffrey Lynn Baker (Racine); and Gregory Nathan and Rebecca (Bauer) Baker, as well as 5 grandchildren and 8 great- grandchildren.
Sadly missed by all who loved her.A memorial visitation will be held at Strouf Funeral Home, 1001 High st. on Tuesday, September 13th from 12:30 until 1:30 p.m., followed by interment at 2:00 p.m.; West Lawn Memorial Park, 9000 Washington Avenue.