Ruth Kolander

Ruth Kolander, age 84 of Lakefield, Minnesota, passed away on Thursday, May 12, 2022, at her residence in Lakefield. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 16, 2022, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lakefield, with Reverend Phil Beukema officiating. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Sunday, May 15, 2022, at Immanuel Lutheran Church and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

Burial will take place at St. Peter Lutheran Cemetery in Delafield Township, Jackson County.

The funeral service will be livestreamed on the Immanuel Lutheran Church Facebook page.

Ruth Marie (Schweim) Kolander was born on September 16, 1937, to John and Erna Schweim at the family farm in Janesville Township, Waseca County, Minnesota.  She was baptized at the family farm on November 21, 1937, and confirmed on March 22, 1951, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Janesville MN.  She grew up on the family farm and graduated from Janesville High School in 1955.  She then attended Concordia College in St Paul and earned her teaching degree.

Ruth received and accepted a call to teach at St. Peter's Parochial School in rural Lakefield Mn. and started teaching there in the fall of 1957, until the school closed down in 1965. Ruth also served as the church secretary and was a member of the choir at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.  Ruth was provided housing at the farm home of Alvin and Evelyn Kolander.  Through this arrangement she started dating Alvin's brother Wilmer.  Wilmer and Ruth were married on August 21, 1960, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Janesville.  Ruth took time off from teaching to raise her family, but the desire to help young children called her back to the profession as a teacher's aide in the early 1980's at Immanuel Lutheran School.

Ruth lived her faith in many ways such as providing help to children struggling with schoolwork, being available for friends and neighbors during tough times and by being the caretaker for her ailing sister during the final years of her life.

Ruth loved history and read quite extensively about it.  She loved nature, gardening and helped nurture many lambs, baby pigs, ducklings, and goslings while on the farm in Heron Lake Township after marriage.  But most of all. Ruth loved spending time with family and friends.

Ruth passed away on May 12, 2022, at her home after a battle with cancer and kidney failure.  She was 84 years, 7 months, and 26 days old.

Ruth is survived by her four sons Keith, Corey and Chad of rural Lakefield and Daren of Jackson, a sister-in-law Ellen Schweim of Mankato and numerous nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her husband Wilmer, her parents John and Erna, an infant sister Delores, sister Geraldine and brothers David and Harold.

Blessed be the memory of Ruth Marie Kolander.

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