Ruth Elna Eichholz
Ruth Elna Eichholz, 79, of Virginia died peacefully on Sunday, February 13, 2011. A Memorial service will be held Friday, February 18, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. at Kaleva Hall in Virginia. Pastor Emily Rova-Hegener will officiate. Arrangements are with Range Funeral Home in Virginia.
Ruth was born April 29, 1931, in Virginia to John Hautala and Impie (Pelto) Hakomaki. She lived with her parents and brother Howard in Palo until she was 12 years old when her family moved to Virginia. She graduated from Virginia High School in 1949, and on July 25, 1953 she married Milton Eichholz.
Ruth was a homemaker and treasured her roles as wife, mother, grandmother and mummu. She was known as an excellent cook and baker and was especially admired for her Finnish pulla (cardamom biscuit). Ruth was very proud of her Finnish heritage and was a long-standing member of the Ladies of Kaleva, Soinnuttaren Tupa #32. In 2001, she travelled to Finland with her family and was able to use her fluent Finnish to communicate with friends and family she met there.
Ruth is survived by her husband, Milton; children, Marilyn Rager of Biwabik, Charles (Nancy) Eichholz of Lake Vermilion, Janet (Jim Grummett) Eichholz of Britt, Susan (Dan) Hartman of Plymouth, MN, Judy (Steve) Venaas of Leonidas, and John Eichholz of Mt. Iron; grandchildren, Jeff (Tiffany Jones) Rager, Stacie Rager, Amy (Ryan) Swanson, Shannon Rager (Dustin Miller), Jeff Rosati, Heather (Steve Bernthal) Surla, Miles Joseph Surla, Matt Lemieux, Amber (Justin) Terch, Brittany (Chris) Wolf, and Andrew Venaas (Leanna Kochendorfer); great grandchildren, Zachary, Kellie, Brynn, Ruthie, Ever, Apres, Katelyn, Carson, and Bennett; and a special cousin, Mary Ann Pelto of Duluth.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brother.
Ruth was a loving, kind, caring and spirited woman with a lovely smile. She will be greatly missed by her many friends and family.
