Ruth Flaten

Obituary Ruth Anne Flaten Ruth Anne Flaten was born on September 17th, 1955, in Garden City Michigan, the daughter of Fred and Sarah (Swartz) Barnett. She moved with her family in 1971 to Alexandria Minnesota where she graduated from Jefferson Senior High School with the class of 1973. Later that year, she married Dale Baumann, with whom she had two children, Laura and Benjamin. On July 28th of 1978, in the town of Webster South Dakota, she married Paul Flaten. In the years to follow Ruth and Paul had three children, Paula, Jesse, and Samantha. In the early 80's, Ruth started a day care which she ran out of her home for nearly 20 years. In those years she was privileged to take care of many children, and build life long friendships with the families in which she was employed. Sundays in the Flaten household was spent watching the Vikings, a team of which Ruth and her family are great fans. One of Ruth's fondest pastimes was playing bingo at VFW Post 936 in Alexandria MN with her many friends and family members. Ruth and Paul also spent many evenings working at the VFW where Ruth was a waitress and Paul bartended. Countless hours of Ruth's life was spent listening to country music and amongst the many artists she listened to, her all-time favorite singer was Alan Jackson. In the last years of her life, Ruth was able to see her idol live in concert, which was one of her lifelong dreams. In 2010, Ruth suffered a ruptured aneurysm in her home. She then battled back from the impairment with many months of recovery and therapy, with the hopes of rebuilding her life. During this time, her family and especially the love for her eleven grandchildren kept her dedicated to her ultimate goal of returning to everyday normal life. She will be missed dearly by all of those who had the opportunity to meet and love her. On September 18th of 2012, Ruth passed away at her home at the age of 57. She is survived by her daughters Laura Runge-Hunt of White Bear Lake MN, Paula (Jamz) Johnson of Prior Lake MN, Samantha Flaten of Alexandria MN, and son Jesse (Amber) Flaten of Alexandria MN; grandchildren Benjamin Runge, Joseph Runge, Julianna Hunt, Samuel Hunt, and Sally-Anne Hunt; Hudson Johnson and Lolah Johnson; Gavin Flaten and Ellie Flaten; and Jayla Flaten and Ruthie Flaten; sisters Carol (Dave) Hoefs of Park Rapid MN, Peggy (Dick) Baumann of Alexandria MN, Tracey Barnett of Detroit MI, and brother Brad Barnett of Alexandria MN; special friend of the family Danny Ellingson of Alexandria MN. She was preceded in death by her parents Fred and Sarah Baumann; husband Paul Flaten; infant son Benjamin Baumann; and son in law Jeff Hunt. A funeral service was held on Friday, September 21st of 2012 at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Alexandria MN with the reverend Jerry Lanes officiating. Interment was held at the Kinkead Cemetery in Alexandria MN. Casket bearers included Jesse Flaten, Tony Mounsdon, Steve Dulski, Adam Baumann, James Johnson, and Dave Spangler. Arrangements were made with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria MN.