Ruth E. Tan

Ruth E. Tan, 71 of Esko, died Wednesday, May 28, 2008 in Miller Dwan Medical Center, Duluth. She was born in 1937 in Cloquet, the daughter of Waino and Signe Saline. Ruth married Richard Tan on May 18, 1957. She was employed as a cook at Cloquet Community Memorial Hospital from 1978 until she retired in 1998. Ruth enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening, canning, crafts and she "lived" for berry picking time. She was an excellent baker and on Saturday's she would bake her delicious caramel rolls and Sunday was known as "2 pie day" which she would share with her brothers. Ruth loved her family unconditionally. She was kind to everyone and would do anything for anyone and always had a special touch with children. Ruth displayed that concern and love for others throughout her life and through her illness. Ruth was a faithful member of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Esko where she taught Sunday school, Bible school and was a member of Ruth Circle. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Richard on November 30, 1989 and an infant sibling. Ruth is survived by her eight children, Linda (Wayne) Rosbacka of Holmen, WI, James (Sheila) of Forest Lake, Roger (Lynnda) of Odessa, FL, Raymond of Esko, Allen (Lisa) of Merrillville, IN, Sheila Tan of Esko, John (Gina) of Montana and Rebecca (Mark) Ihlenfeldt of Sauk Rapids; 10 grandchildren Brandon, Ashley, Amy, Amanda, Daran, Noah, Becky, Tom, Dan and Kaitlin; one great grandson, Nick; four brothers, Donald Saline, Wayne Saline, John Saline and Charles (Cookie) Saline, all of Cloquet; two sisters, Annie (Dell) Sutherland of St. James, MN and Rachel Mattson of Cloquet. Funeral Services were held on Sunday, June 1, 2008 in St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, Esko. Burial was in St. Matthew's Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Northland Funeral Home, 801 14th Street, Cloquet.