Ruth Marie Finstrom

Ruth Marie Lindberg Finstrom, 83, of Portland, ND passed away peacefully at Northwood Deaconess Health Center on Friday, December 2, 2016 under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley. Ruth was born February 5, 1933 to Alvin and Dorothy (Iverson) Lindberg in Wadena, Ottertail County, MN. She was baptized in their home where Glen and Selma Anderson became her Godparents. She was raised in Paddock Township of Ottertail County, MN where she was confirmed at Bethel Lutheran Free Church. In 1950 she graduated from Sebeka High School and worked that summer at Hamilton’s Lodge near Park Rapids, MN until she went on to attend Bemidji State College. She later transferred to Mayville State College where she earned a Second Grade Elementary Certificate. On December 21, 1952 she married Carl Finstrom at Bethel Lutheran Free Church in Sebeka, MN. They lived on the Finstrom family farm where they raised their seven children. Recently they lived for several years in Portland. With any free time she had, Ruth enjoyed a number of hobbies and pastimes such as bird watching, reading, playing games and visiting with family and friends. Carl and Ruth spent 25 winters in El Paso, TX spending equal time with their grandchildren across the country. Ruth had a lifelong passion for education and religion which she passed on to her family. Ruth was an avid fan of Elvis Presley and collected videos and other items. She also collected Charles Lindbergh memorabilia. She was a very active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Buxton, ND, the Peppy Pals 4H Club, the Buxton Centennial Committee and the Portland Golden Age Club. Over the years she had several occupations such as writing The Buxton News for the Traill County Tribune, decades with the Census Bureau, working as vendors at flea markets in North Dakota and Minnesota, helping Ordell “Bud” Johnson with harvest and a short time in the cafeteria at Mayville State College. Ruth is survived by her siblings: Doris Gulbrandson of Mesa, AZ, Bernice (Leroy) Imsande of Circle Pines, MN and Perry (Susan) Lindberg of Anoka, MN; children: Annette Hauser of Cummings, ND, Rebecca Lusk of El Paso, TX, Daniel (Teresa) of Buxton, ND, Mark of Chapparal, NM, James of Las Cruces, NM, Joel of Cummings, ND and Janice Schulz of Buxton, ND; Grandchildren: Aaron Hauser, Harley & Kyle Lusk, Raeann, Amanda & Katelyn, and Jennifer & Krystal Schulz; Great-Grandchildren: Ethan Lusk, Lucas Gallagher and Dakson & Addison Schulz Ruth was preceded in death by her husband: Carl; brother: Arden Lindberg; sister: Jeannette Reese; five brothers-in-law and three sisters-in-law. Visitation: Will be from 5–7 PM on Thursday, December 8, 2016 with a 7:00 PM Public Prayer Service at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Buxton, ND and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church. Funeral Service: 1:00 PM Friday, December 9, 2016 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Buxton, ND. Burial: Will be in the North Prairie Cemetery, rural Buxton, ND.