Ruth E. Walker, 81, died Friday, September 30, 2011 at Pioneer Memorial Care Center, Erskine, MN.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 1:30 PM, Tuesday October 4, 2011 at St. Bernards Church, Thief River Falls, MN with Father Rick Lambert presiding.  Burial will be at St. Bernards Catholic Cemetery, Thief River Falls.

Visitation will be 5 " 8 PM, Monday, October 3, 2011 at Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls, MN with a 7 PM prayer service and a rosary to follow.  Visitation will also be one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.

Ruth Evelyn Stewart was born May 30, 1930 to Ray and Alma (Holm) Stewart, May 30, 1930 in Grand Rapids, MN.  She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith.   She grew up with her family in Cohasset, MN attending elementary school there and graduated from Grand Rapids High School.  She graduated from Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato.

Ruth met her future husband Brian when he was home on leave from the military.  Ruth was united in marriage to Brian Gerald Walker, November 21, 1953 in Grand Rapids, MN.  They made their home in Grand Rapids, MN for a few months, and then they moved to Minneapolis, MN.  Ruth worked as secretary at M & O Paper Company for about three years before moving to the Iron Range in Minnesota where she worked as secretary for Erie Mining Company for about five years.  After her father-in-law suddenly died, Ruth and Brian moved their family to Thief River Falls, MN.  Ruth worked from home for many years for the Pennington County Court Reporter.  Ruth worked for several years at Gordons Hallmark in Thief River Falls, where she picked out many cards to send to her family and friends.

Ruth enjoyed knitting and baking.  Lifelong friendships were formed over 40 plus years of weekly coffee with Bernie, Gayle, Phyllis, and Durelle.  She also loved to shop with her best friend Bernie Berger.  Ruth enjoyed when the neighborhood kids would stop by and visit with her.  She and her husband Brian wintered in Mesa for many years, where she loved to go for walks.  She was a member of St. Bernards Catholic Church.

Ruth is survived by three children: Kathleen Moum, Mesa, AZ; John Walker, San Francisco, CA; Thomas (Naomi) Walker, St. Louis Park, MN; one grandson John Moum, Phoenix, AZ.

She was preceded in death by her husband Brian Walker on November 11, 2010, her parents Ray and Alma, brother James Stewart, and sister Marcella Dahl.