Ruth Baker Christiansen

The memorial service celebrating the life of Ruth (Erickson) Baker Christiansen, formerly of Wadena, will be held at 11:00a.m. on Saturday, August 3, at St. John Lutheran Church in Wadena with Pastor Stephen Meltzer presiding. Visitation will be held at the church on Saturday from 9:30a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be next to her first husband John Baker in Wadena Cemetery, Wadena, MN. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The service can be viewed on: Schuller Family Funeral Home's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/p/Schuller-Family-Funeral-Homes-Cremation-Services or YouTube ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ruth, age 92, passed away with family at her side on July 9, 2024, in Wildomar, CA. Ruth Constance Erickson was born to Albert and Laura (Thorsen) Erickson on November 25, 1931, in Wadena, MN. She was united in marriage with John Baker on July 26, 1948, in Wadena. He passed away on April 17, 1975. Ruth raised her children while caring for her aunt and mother until they passed. She then decided to work out of the home. She worked at the Red Owl Bakery in Wadena and Nasch Finch in Corcoran, and then as a home health aide for several years. Ruth enjoyed reading her Bible along with cooking for her family and friends. At St. John Lutheran Church in Wadena she belonged to LWML and the Guild. She loved traveling, water aerobics, sewing, walking, riding her bike and dancing, not to mention watching westerns and listening to country music. Approximately 18 years after John passed away, Ruth met Leonard Christiansen. He and his wife hadn’t had children and all of a sudden he had ten, and many many grandchildren! Ruth and Leonard spent 11 years traveling and spending wonderful times with family and friends. Preceding Ruth in death were her husbands John Baker (1975) and Leonard Christiansen (2004); parents, Albert and Laura; daughter, Sheila Uselman; grandson, Scott Krause; siblings: Eugene (and Belle) Erickson, Ray (and Iris) Erickson, and Eunice (and Royston) Dague. Forever loved, Ruth leaves behind her children: Sharon (Roger) Krause of Ottertail, Barbara Butler of Coon Rapids, John (Ruhiyyich) Baker of Anchor Point, AK, Lona Baker of Fountain Valley CA, Patty (Joe) Sather, Jim (Erin) Baker both of Temcula, CA, David (Darcy) Baker of Bemidji, Carol (Lee) Henke of Wildomar, CA and Lori (Billy) Yerbich of Paposky; son-in-law, Phil Uselman, along with numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Serving as urn bearers will be Chad Krause, Quinn Butler, Connor Butler, Christopher Greenwaldt, Andrew Greenwaldt, and Travis Greenwaldt. Honorary urn bearers will be Gavin Sather, Taylor Sather, Joshua Baker, Jacob Baker, Jim Jr. Baker, Luke Henke and the sum of her 92 grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Memorials in Ruth’s name may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Center (www.stjude.org/give/memorials-and-dedications/donation-in-honor-of-someone.html)

Ruth Baker Christiansen

November 25, 1931 - July 9, 2024