Obituary of Ruth Marie Schuler

Ruth Schuler, age 92, passed away peacefully while sleeping at her home in Burnsville, Minnesota, on Thursday, December 21, 2023.

Ruth was born in Des Moines, Iowa, on March 30, 1931, to Ralph and Nina Canine. She was the second of five children. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years Robert Schuler, her parents Ralph and Nina Canine, her sister Marylyn Weeks, and brother Howard Canine.

Ruth is survived by her sister Ann Pattison (Perry) and brother Richard Canine; her children Sheri Lynch, Scott Schuler, Steve Schuler (Susan), Shawn Schuler (Barbara); her grandchildren Autumn Schulze (Kaleb), Aaron Lynch (Jessica), Adam Lynch (Robyn), Sarah Tangen (Tom), Rachel Price (John), Grant Schuler, Ben Schuler (Roxanne), Daniel Schuler, Heather Schuler, Joshua Schuler, Rebekah Schuler, and Joel Schuler (Peri); and her great-grandchildren Elena Schulze, Jacklyn, Lillian, Chelsea, and Martin Tangen, Claire, Ronin, and Ruthann Schuler, Victoria and Aksel Lynch, Gianna and Wesley Price, and several nieces and nephews.

Ruth grew up in Des Moines, graduated from Roosevelt High School, and attended Drake University where she earned her teaching certificate. Ruth taught second grade for several years in Colo, Iowa, where she met her husband, Robert. They were married on February 21, 1953. Ruth dedicated her life being a mother and homemaker in Colo, while also being active in a couple of community groups. Ruth and Bob raised four children. Since her husband traveled each week for work, Ruth had her hands full with four young children. Her love of family kept them together with many happy and grateful memories.

Ruth enjoyed cooking! She was recognized by a local newspaper in Iowa for her many kinds of cuisines. When her children were older, Ruth also worked at 3M in Ames, Iowa, until she and Bob bought a home on Howard Lake in Akeley, Minnesota. They spent 21 years in northern Minnesota on the lake and gave their family and friends many wonderful memories at the lake! There are many fishing, hunting, and snowmobiling stories and memories of wonderful family get-togethers. Ruth was able to use her love of cooking at a nursing facility in Walker for several years before retiring.

After retiring, Ruth and Bob took several snowmobiling trips out west, once to Yellowstone. When Bob was diagnosed with lung cancer, they moved to Burnsville. After Bob’s death, Ruth took a European Tour, which was a highlight of her life. She also wrote and published an autobiography, Secrets of The Heart. Ruth took up quilting and became an expert, making quilts for all members of her family and many friends. She also loved playing cards and board games with the residents at the senior apartment building where she lived for over 22 years. Ruth was very competitive; you could say she analyzed every move with the eye of an eagle. She was very thankful for her home and the friends she had at the Parkway Co-op.

Ruth gave her life and her love to Jesus at an early age and re-committed herself to Christ in her later years. She was a faithful member of Valley Christian Church, and loved to worship with her brothers and sisters-in-Christ. Ruth spent time every day in the Scriptures and in prayer for her family and friends. The light of Jesus’ love was reflected in her life. Ruth knew that she would one day go to be with Jesus and lived peacefully and content into her 90’s.

A visitation is planned for Friday, January 12 from 6-8pm at Valley Christian Church, 20270 Iberia Avenue, Lakeville, MN 55044. Ruth’s memorial service is Saturday, January 13 at 10am with a light luncheon following. A private family interment is planned at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

A special thank you to our church family at Valley Christian Church, and Ruth’s friends at the Parkway Co-op. We miss our mom, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Your love, prayers, and support have sustained and continue to sustain our family as we celebrate Ruth’s life on earth and her eternal life with Christ.