Ruth Baker age 75, of Mitchell died Saturday, October 22, 2016 at her residence. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Monday October 31, 2016 at Resurrection Lutheran Church. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 PM Sunday at the Will Funeral Chapel. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery.

Ruth Elaine (Meligan) Baker was born on November 18, 1940 at her parents' farm home near Iroquois, South Dakota.  Soon thereafter the family moved to a farm near Carthage.  She attended the Carthage public schools and later attended Mitchell Vocational Technical School.

Ruth married Donald Baker on June 14, 1958.  She was a very dedicated and proud mother of her five children, Charlene, Kathy, Clinton, Kristine and Kevin.  In her early years she worked nights to help support her family and then spent approximately 36 years working for the Mitchell Daily Republic newspaper.

The early years of their marriage were spent farming between Carthage and Howard, and traveling throughout the State with a road construction crew.  They later settled in Mitchell when their children reached school age.

Ruth loved spending time in her garden, reading, camping, and playing games. Ruth was a 4-H leader and a Girl Scout leader for many years.  She also enjoyed traveling to visit her family, spread throughout the country.  She especially cherished time with the small children. She was a member of First Lutheran Church and then later on began worshipping at the Resurrection Lutheran Church in Mitchell.  She enjoyed participating in bible study and loved reading scripture.

Ruth's last several years were devoted to the care of her husband Donald, whom she called the love of her life and her Prince Charming.

Ruth is survived by her husband Donald; four children, Charlene Fisher (Sioux Falls, SD);  Kathy(Jim) Roling (Piedmont, SD);  Clinton (Nancy) Baker (Sparks, NV); and Kevin (Jeni) Baker (Duluth, GA); 11 grandchildren:  Edgar, Jessica, William, Sarah, Greg, Amber, James, Amanda, Charlie, Bailee and Hanna; 8 great-grandchildren: Alexandria, Destiney, Bre Anna, Rebecca, Colten, Asher, Easton and Amelia; and 1 great-great-grandchild Madelyn.  She is also survived by her sister Shirley Stroud and brother Raymond (Iris) Meligan.

Ruth is preceded in death by her parents Charles & Sophie (Furness)  Meligan; her sister Betty Bender; and her daughter Kristine.