RUTH SATCHELL ABRAHAM BAKER, age 97

Went home to her Lord on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at Wellspring Lutheran Home in Frankenmuth after a four-month illness. Ruth Ida Satchell was born on July 13, 1925 in Mayville, MI to Harold and Ruth (West) Satchell.  She graduated from Caro High School in 1942, from Bay City Business College in 1943, and earned an Associate Degree in Business Management from Delta College in 1984.  Ruth married Harold Abraham on September 17, 1946 and they had four children: Timothy, Ruth, Mary and Christine.  When Harold passed on September 4, 1997 they were about to celebrate their 51 ^st anniversary.  Ruth married Arnold Baker on March 17, 2001 and they enjoyed a happy life until his death on April 14, 2009.  Ruth loved the Lord, her family, being of service to church and community, gardening and her favorite hobby—golf—which she played until she was 93.

In 1943 Ruth and her twin sister Rhea ventured to San Diego, California to work as civilian secretaries for the U.S. Navy Personnel Department.  When they returned in 1944 she was employed as an executive secretary for Wickes, Inc. in Saginaw until 1946.  In 1950 she and Harold started the Frankenmuth Oil Company, which they operated until his retirement in 1975.  Ruth was also employed as an Administrative Assistant for the Frankenmuth School District from 1971-85.  She then focused her energy on becoming a very successful local realtor until retiring in 1996.

Ruth has been a member of St. Lorenz Lutheran Church since moving to Frankenmuth in 1948. Over the years she has served the church as a Foundation Board Member, Stephen Minister, Audit Committee Member, Sunday School Program developer and director, and member and past-president of the Ladies Aid Society.

Beginning in 1968 and continuing for over 30 years, Ruth served her community in many capacities, including: 25 years with the Civic Events Council and as President and Festival Chair in 1991; as a charter member and past president of the Frankenmuth Women's Club; 16 years in various leadership positions on the City Beautification Committee; 10 years on the Heritage Park Commission, which she helped establish; as a board member and president from 1982-85 of the Frankenmuth Parks and Recreation Commission; as President from 1992-98 of the Frankenmuth Foundation; and as a member of the Frankenmuth United Fund Board, Community Center Feasibility Committee, and Rotary Pool Study Committee.  Her commitment to and love of the City of Frankenmuth was recognized in 1984 when she received the Jaycees Herbert L. Keinath Award, in 1991 with the Rotary Paul Harris Fellow Award, in 1999 by the Frankenmuth Chamber of Commerce, in 2013 when she was featured on the Frankenmuth Historical Museum's Women's Wall of Fame, and in 2015 as the recipient of the Frankenmuth Women's Club Edelweiss Award.

Ruth leaves one daughter, Ruth Montcalm, nine grandchildren, Caroline (Jason) Zimmerman, Jonathan (Megan) Montcalm, Erika (Keith) Morris, Elissa (Kyle) Griffin, Jeff (Bridget) Cook, Jason (Becky) Cook, Jessica (Micheal) Cronk, Michael (Kala) Scott and Renee (Terry) Skjersaa, 18 great grandchildren and one great-great grandson.  Ruth will also be missed by her seven step-children--Jim (Leslie) Baker, Ken (Pam) Baker, Tom (Debbie) Baker, Robert Baker, Joann (Wynn) Burrington, Karen (Lupe) Mier,  Marlene (Jefferson) Perry and their families; sons-in-law William Miyasato, Steven (Kathie) Scott and Milt (Barbara) Snead;  her sisters Esther Colling and Janice Weissenborn, and many nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by her son, Timothy Abraham, daughters Mary Snead and Christine Cook, grandson Daniel Scott, sons-in-law Richard Montcalm and James Cook, brothers, Frank, David, Fred and Donald Satchell, sisters Rhea Goodman and Martha Ganzel, and special friend Ralph Oberholtzer.

Ruth's family will receive visitors at the Cederberg Funeral Home of Frankenmuth, located at 590 N. Franklin St. from 3-8 PM on Friday, May 26 ^th . A memorial service will take place at 11:00 AM Saturday, May 27 ^th at St. Lorenz Lutheran Church where family will greet visitors beginning at 10:00 AM until the time of service.    Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to St. Lorenz Foundation, The Frankenmuth Foundation Christine Abraham Cook Scholarship, or the charity of their choice.