Ruth Louise Lindstrom

Ruth Louise Lindstrom

November 14, 1942 – March 13, 2024

On Wednesday, March 13, 2024, Ruth Lindstrom passed out of this world and into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Ruth was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa, the eldest of Ben and Jean Tuininga’s three children. As teaching and preaching opportunities opened up for her father, the family moved around the upper Midwest including Toronto, Ontario and Chicago, Illinois before eventually settling in Minneapolis and getting involved in starting and directing camp ministry at Story Book Lodge Christian Camp in northern Minnesota.

As an adult, Ruth worked as a social worker in Milaca and Rochester. In 1972 she married the love of her life, Dean Lindstrom, eventually retiring from social work to raise and homeschool their four children. In the 1980s, Ruth lobbied at the Minnesota State Capitol, helping to get the laws passed for education choices in the state including making it legal to homeschool. Dean and Ruth remained actively involved in homeschool leadership and advocacy at the local, state, and national levels for many years. Ruth particularly was an active speaker, published writer, and mentor for supporting homeschooling parents.

Throughout their married life, Ruth and Dean provided hospitality to many needing a place to stay – from refugees from Vietnam and Laos, to single mothers needing a safe place, to numerous individuals coming to Rochester for medical treatment. Dean and Ruth also hosted a church fellowship in their home in Rochester where Ruth was very active in teaching Sunday school and counseling. Ruth also loved to learn about God’s creation and to use what she learned and observed in nature to teach others about who God is. Above all, Ruth loved to read and study the Word of God and taught and led Bible studies into her later years.

Ruth is survived by her husband of 51 years, Dean Lindstrom, a sister Susan (David) Lewicki, a brother BJ (Melanie) Tuininga, daughter Sarah (Aaron) Shannon, son David Lindstrom, daughter Amy Lindstrom, son Steven (Karees) Lindstrom, and grandchildren Jerrold Shannon, Evelyn Lindstrom, Charles Lindstrom, Joanna Lindstrom, and Esther Lindstrom. Ruth is preceded in death by her parents, Ben and Margaret Jean Tuininga.

Memorial services will be held to remember and celebrate Ruth’s life on April 6, 2024 at 1pm at Virginia Bible Chapel in Virginia, MN and on May 11, 2024 at 2pm at Rochester Covenant Church in Rochester, MN.

Family Services provided by Bauman-Cron, A Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia.  To share condolences online, please visit www.bauman funeralhome.com.