Ruth R Rintamaa

January 2, 1917 – December 8, 2014

Ruth Wright Rannells Rintamaa was born on January 2, 1917 in Wilmington, Ohio, second child of Errett and Daisy Rannells.

She lived on the farm on Prairie Pike. She met her husband, Sulo O. Rintamaa, a fellow classmate at Wilmington College. They lived most of their lives in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The couple had two sons, David L. and Richard A., and lived in Madeira until the boys finished high school and entered college. Ruth was a homemaker. Ruth and her husband were instrumental in the founding of Kenwood Christian Church and participated in building the church for many years. Both of them enjoyed singing in the church choirs and singing duets together at their churches.

When the boys left for college, they moved to College Hill in Cincinnati where they participated in the College Hill Christian Church and Ruth began her volunteer career with Girl Scouts and the state chairmanship of the God and Community Award for girls, the wellness clinic for low income mothers and babies and the sight and hearing screening program for children. She tried volunteering in the Burn unit of the hospital but could not bear the pain of the patients.

In 1981 they moved to Bethany Village. They joined Central Christian Church in Kettering when they came to Dayton. Ruth made flower arrangements for Kettering Hospital gift shop for many years, especially for the Christmas sale. She volunteered in the gift shop at Bethany. Ruth enjoyed ringing handbells with a Bethany group for several years.

She always appreciated the wonderful caregivers atmosphere and values embodied in the Bethany community. She said many times how glad she was they had become a part of the family.

Ruth was preceded in death by her father and mother, her brothers Elwood and Ralph, and her husband Sulo. She is survived by her sons, David L. (Barbara) and Richard A. (Sue) Rintamaa; grandchildren, Michael (Margaret), Melissa (Kevin), Kernan and Rede (Nikki); great grandchildren Katherine, Elisabeth, Emma, Allie, Evan and Nori; Nephew Tom (Joann) Rannells, Pat (Jim) Moats; Cousin, Carolyn Kirkwood.

Family services will be held later. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made in Ruth's memory to the Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Ave., Dayton, Ohio 45420 or the Bethany Benevolent Care, 6430 Inner Mission Way, Centerville, Ohio 45459-7400.