Ruth B. Lahti

Ruth Betty Joyce Lahti, 90, of Gilbert, died peacefully on September 26, 2012, with her daughter, Patricia Lahti, and her son-in-law, Louis Vietti, by her side. Ruth was born in Gilbert, Minnesota, on October 14, 1921, and she died at Mt. Olivet Careview Home in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She graduated from Gilbert High School and Eveleth Community College. While in business college in Minneapolis, she was recruited to work in accounting positions for the U.S. Department of War and moved to Washington D.C. in January, 1942. She worked in the newly-built Pentagon. Later she worked for the U.S. Department of Engineers in Washington D.C. and St. Louis, Mo., and was an accounting supervisor for Prudential Insurance in Los Angeles, CA. Ruth returned to Gilbert to care for family members and worked for Cluett Peabody Company, The First National Bank of Gilbert, the accounting office of Woolworth's, and ended her working career at the Gilbert School District, retiring at age 72. Ruth was a very active member of her community. She served on the church council and altar guild at Hope Lutheran Church in Gilbert, and later joined Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Virginia. She served as an officer of the Gilbert Library Board, as a union steward or officer for her work unions, as a member of Ladies of Kaleva both Valvotar Tupa # 20 and Lokka Tupa # 1, and she started a 4-H Club for the Gilbert youth. Ruth was also a long-term active member of the 5th Senatorial District of the Minnesota Democratic party, holding positions as an officer on the 5th District Board, and serving on the State Central Committee. Ruth was especially proud to be a Minnesota Electoral College representative for the 1992 presidential election of William Clinton. Ruth is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, and was preceded in death by her parents and 8 brothers and sisters. Visitation will be held 9:30 AM Tuesday October 2, 2012 at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Virginia. Funeral service begins at 11 AM, with burial following at the Gilbert Cemetery. Arrangements are being made by Ziemer Moeglein Shatava Funeral Home in Gilbert.