Ruth Helen Ranta

Ruth was born April 18, 1935, in Marquette, a daughter of Jacob and Minnie Rintala. She was raised in Marquette and graduated from Graveraet High School. Following graduation, she enrolled at Northern Michigan University, pursuing a degree in teaching. While attending college, she began raising her two children and later completed her bachelor’s degree in education.

Ruth began her teaching career at Vandenboom Elementary School and retired in June of 1992 after 30 years of service. She took very few sick days for 27 years, allowing her to purchase three years toward her retirement.

In her early years, Ruth enjoyed art and was especially fond of oil painting. She and her husband, Raymond, loved snowmobiling and were members of two snowmobile clubs. After Ruth’s retirement from teaching, her and her husband enjoyed traveling together. Ruth also took many trips with her best friend, Goldie Nyberg. She loved visiting casinos and playing slot machines, tending to her vegetable and flower gardens, and spending summers at Witch Lake. Some of her most memorable travels included cruises and trips to Finland, the Panama Canal, and several Scandinavian countries.

Above all, Ruth cherished time with her children and grandchildren.

She is survived by her two children, Ray (Bonnie) Ranta, Jr. of Marquette and Katherine Russell of Naples, FL; five grandchildren, Mark (Dulcee) Ranta, Aaron (Cortney) Ranta, and Amy (Kyle) Martin, all of Marquette, Garrett (Laura) Russell of Grand Rapids, and Elise Russell of Naples, FL; and seven great-grandchildren, Cole Ranta, Brett Ranta, Seth Martin, Caydence Ranta, Ty Martin, Ella Martin, and Charlotte Ranta.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Raymond Ranta.

The family will receive relatives and friends at Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services on Thursday, August 21, beginning at 11:00 a.m. until the time of service at 12:00 p.m. Rev. Chad Ott will officiate. A reception will follow in the funeral home’s reception room. Interment will be made in the Negaunee Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to UP Home Health and Hospice.

The Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com