Ruth Elaine Lia

Published April 13, 2021 at 11:14 PM

Ruth Elaine Lia entered peacefully into her Lord’s rest on Saturday, April 10th, 2021, at Emmanuel Nursing Home in Detroit Lakes, MN under the care of Hospice, staff, and her loving family.

Ruth was born to the Reverend Alfred and Frieda (Uetzman) Seltz on June, 7, 1928, in Detroit Lakes, MN. Ruth moved with her family from Ogema, to Frazee, and Alexandria, MN graduating in 1945. As evidence of a strong family bond, Ruth slipped into God’s presence on the same day, 13 years later, as her twin sister. Ruth was a funeral soloist and a flutist in the Alexandria school band. Ruth also sang with the Detroit Lakes Community and Zion Lutheran Church choirs and enjoyed drawing and oil painting.

In her career Ruth did many things; she designed window displays, an office manager, drafted house floor plans, a transcriptionist, a small business owner of the Hilltop Bar and Grill, and then she retired from Detroit Lakes Newspaper developing community calendars and selling advertisements. After short stints in Sarasota, FL, and Huron, SD, she settled in Detroit Lakes to raise her family.

As a long time Second Bayer at the family cottage on Round Lake, Ruth enjoyed nature walks, swimming, and boating. Snowmobiling was Ruth’s more adventurous pursuit and she also danced at the Liars Den resort, attended Blue Angel air performances, and maintained her flowers. She was virtually unbeatable on the Scrabble board. Ruth’s greatest joy came from her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; many holidays, picnics, and backyard cookouts were cherished events for the whole family.

Ruth always kept a positive attitude and humorous outlook on life. One of her favorite sayings was “Do as I say, and not as I do”. Ruth also had great confidence in her Savior Jesus who carried her through many seasons of life and she will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

Ruth is survived by her children Michael (Rhonda) Manthey, Nadine Walker, David (Dori) Bakke, Alison Heurung; stepson Wayne (Joyce Zak) Bakke; brothers Jack (Sue) Seltz and Al “Sonny” (Connie) Seltz; grandchildren Chad Manthey, Heather Parker, Derek (Amanda) Walker, Hannah (Andrew Probelski) Bakke, Nathanael Bakke, Jacob Heurung, Samantha Heurung; great grandchildren Ian Parker, Grant Manthey, Zoey Manthey, and many nieces and nephews.

Ruth is preceded in death by her loving husband Rodney (Rod) Lia; her parents Alfred and Frieda Seltz; her brother Roger (Lisa) Seltz; her sister Judy (Paul) Volz; and her son-in-law Charlie Walker.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 beginning at 4:30 p.m. at the David-Donehower Funeral Home in Detroit Lakes, MN, with a visitation one hour prior.