Ruth Messer

The funeral service for Ruth Messer of Wadena will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 20, at the United Methodist Church in Wadena, with Pastor Mark Bateson officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Johnson-Schuller Chapel in Wadena. Visitation will resume at the church on Saturday from 12:30 p.m. until the time of service. Ruth, age 93, passed away Tuesday, February 16, 2016, at the Fair Oaks Lodge in Wadena, MN. Ruth Margaret (Kohlhase) Messer, born January 17, 1923 to Rudolph and Lillian (Kruetzer) Kohlhase in Bertha, MN. She grew up on a dairy farm near Bertha, with her sister Marie and brothers Phillip, Bob and David. Ruth met the love of her life, Leonard Messer, while attending church youth gatherings. She attended Business school at Stout University in Madison, WI, and then went to work for Honeywell in Minneapolis, MN. All the while Ruth and Len continued to see each other. They were married at the South Bertha Methodist Church on May 22, 1945. While living at Spruce Shadows farm south of Minneapolis they were blessed with the births of Steven (1948) and Donald (1949). In the early 1950s they relocated to the Wadena area, learning the turkey industry while living on the Jim Stearns farm. Soon they bought acreage just west of Wadena and began building their own farm. In 1954 they were blessed when Gary was born, followed by Kathleen in 1958. Now settled, Ruth and Len raised their family and became very active in their church, Wadena United Methodist, and the community of Wadena. Ruth loved being a homemaker, making a home that was full of love and laughter for family and friends. She also took great pride in their yards, enjoying many hours growing her beautiful flowers and a thriving vegetable garden. Ruth enjoyed being a Cub Scout Leader for her boys and was active in Job's Daughters with Kathy. She was a member of Eastern Star, becoming Worthy Matron, and then was involved as a Past Matron. All about helping others, Ruth served at the Wadena Hospital as a Pink Lady for 26 years. Raising their family in church was very important to Ruth and Len and she wore many hats over the years: youth leader and camp counselor, United Methodist Women, Christmas decorating, and working on many other projects. Ruth loved music and expressed her faith through singing in the choir, as a "Kingdom Heir," Praise Team and playing Handbells. Children and youth had a special place in Ruth's heart and she was always looking out for them. Ruth and Len delighted in supporting their children and grandchildren and attending their many varied events throughout the years. They worked hard; but also loved to camp, go to the lake, and take vacation time. When they retired they continued to travel and tour around the United States and Canada....and always came home with a rock or two!!! Ruth was a wonderful example of faith and strength and was truly a woman of grace and inner beauty. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband Len, son Steven, parents, and siblings Charles, Marie, Phillip and Bob. She is survived by sons Don (Linda) Messer of Eden Prairie and Gary (Rebecca) Messer of Northfield, daughter Kathy (Jeff) Harrison of Wadena, her eight grandchildren and their spouses, brother David (Kim) Kohlhase, nieces and nephews. Pallbearers were her grandchildren and their spouses: Paul and Erin Messer, Michelle and Ryan de la Garza, Kevin Messer, Christopher Messer and Stephanie VanY, Jeni and Chris Feneis, Alex and Annie Messer, Josh Harrison, and Abby and Justin Rogge. Burial will be in Wadena Cemetery, Wadena, MN

Ruth Messer

January 17, 1923 - February 16, 2016