Ruth Anttila

Mrs. Ruth K. Anttila, age 93, of Rochester, MN a homemaker, died Saturday, October 13, 2018 at Samaritan Bethany. Ruth Korhonen was born February 2, 1925 in Astoria, Oregon and grew up in a parsonage. When she was seven years old, the family moved to Superior, WI; later, Iron River, WI. After graduating from Baraga, Michigan High School in 1943, she worked as a secretary in Los Angeles, CA in the defense industry during WWII. After the war, she returned to her parents' home, then living in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. On August 30, 1947, she married Philip Anttila, who was a seminary student in Springfield, OH. During this time, she worked as a church secretary in Springfield. She joined his ministry as co-partner, serving Lutheran congregations in Niles, Fairport Harbor, and Sylvania - all in Ohio. The family moved to Moorhead, MN in 1969 where her husband served as pastor at Bethesda Lutheran Church for 18 years. In semi-retirement, for 5 years, he served as a visitation pastor in Barnesville and Moorhead. After 1992, they lived in retirement in Rochester, and were members of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. As a pastor's wife, Ruth taught Sunday School, sang in the church choir, was a children's song leader for a number of years, and active in women's organizations, having also served as secretary of Ohio Lutheran Church Women. She enjoyed people, music, reading and certain sports. She was a people person, and over the years, send many cards to friends and relatives remembering special events in their lives. Ruth is survived by her daughter, Kathy (Bob) Forsyth; grandson, Ryan (Carrie) Forsyth; great granddaughter, Brynn Forsyth; great grandson, Blake Forsyth; two sisters, Sr. Gloria Korhonen, OP, of Port Huron, MI and Elaine K. Germaine of Bedford, TX; nephew, Jack K. Germaine of Saginaw, TX. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Philip Anttila on March 28, 2004; a son, Jonathan, who died on April 13, 2006; a sister, Muriel Lawrence. The funeral service for Ruth will be held 11:00 am on Wednesday, October 17, 2018 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church 1212 12th Ave. NW Rochester with Pastor Karna Hagen Moskalik officiating. The visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2018 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes 5421 Royal Place NW Rochester also one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. The family prefers memorials to the Jonathan Anttila Endowed Scholarship Fund at Luther Seminary, 2481 Como Ave, St. Paul, MN 55108, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, or Samaritan Bethany. To share a special memory please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com