Diana Juanita Ruuska

Diana “Dinah” was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon "Vern" R. Ruuska of Richardson, TX, parents, Eugene "Gene" Robert Wagner and Miriam "Marion" (nee Besonen), and her siblings, Gerald (Mary) Wagner; Eugene Wagner; and Jill (Robert) Hietala.

She is survived by her children, Brian (Barbara) Ruuska; Brenda Salmonson; Gregory (Kris) Ruuska; Jay (Dianne) Ruuska, 11 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and siblings, Richard (Marilyn) Wagner; Julie (Jeffery) Ekegren; and Jon (Sheila) Wagner.

Dinah was born on May 2, 1939 in Trout Creek, Michigan. She graduated from high school in South Milwaukee, WI in 1957 and moved to Minneapolis, MN where she worked for the University of Minnesota and met Vern. Dinah and Vern married in 1960 and began raising their family in Oak Creek, WI. Vern’s employer moved the family to Turnersville, NJ in 1974, and Richardson, TX in 1976. Before retiring, Dinah worked for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas for several years.

Dinah and Vern were active members of "TexFinns" a Dallas-Fort Worth chapter of Finlandia Foundation National. They were frequent participants in the Dallas College Richland Campus senior fitness program. In a special ceremony in 2021, she and Vern received a certificate of appreciation from the City of Richardson's Chief of Police recognizing their 1,400 hours of volunteer service on Crime Watch Patrol.

Dinah loved to read, tend plants & flowers, glaze ceramics, knit & crochet, travel, and to bake and cook meals—especially for out-of-town guests. She was a devoted member of the Finnish Independent Apostolic Lutheran Church.

A funeral is scheduled at J.E. Foust & Son, 523 S Main St, Grapevine, TX. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to any of the following organizations would be appreciated: Finlandia Foundation National, 254 N. Lake Ave. #852, Pasadena, CA 91101; Richland Neighborhood Association (Crime Watch) P O Box 852636, Richardson, TX 75085; Independent Apostolic Lutheran Church, 6721 156th Ave, Bristol, WI 53104.

The family would like to thank the caregivers at Vista Ridge Nursing & Rehab and Hospice Plus Services of Lewisville for their dedication and assistance.