Ruth Lynne Jackson

Ruth Jackson, age 78 of Hastings, died peacefully at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis on Tuesday morning, April 12, 2022. Ruth Lynne, the daughter of Lynn and Nora (Wiemerslage) Wilsey, was born on September 15, 1943, in Caledonia, Minnesota. Following her graduation from Houston (MN) High School with the class of 1961, Ruth continued her education at Augsburg College where she studied Home Economics. On September 5, 1964, Ruth was united in marriage to Raul Jackson at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Minneapolis and they were blessed with fifty-seven years of marriage. Together, they moved to New York where they taught at the Institute for the Blind. Ruth taught Home Economics and Life Skills. She ran the first apartment for the blind on campus which allowed her to teach the blind students how to live independently. She and Raul moved back to Minnesota to raise their family. From that point forward, Ruth became a domestic engineer, better known as a homemaker, a very talented one to say the least. Outside of caring for her own children, Ruth also enjoyed the privilege and opportunity to provide daycare for many infants within the Hastings community over the years as well. Ruth was a very talented seamstress and a trailblazer in her efforts to use only the freshest and most organic of ingredients when preparing homecooked meals for her family every day. Ruth was always enjoying the many blessings in her life. She had a true love for baking and was well known for her apple crisp. She especially loved baking Scandinavian lefse, sandbakkals, and krumkaka at Christmas time. Throughout the years, her kitchen was and will forever be known as "The Gathering Place" for family, friends, and neighbors to come and enjoy a fresh cup of coffee and conversation. Outside of her time spent caring for family or her kitchen, Ruth was sure to let the light of Christ shine through her life. She enjoyed many years of volunteering at the hospital and for various ministries at St. Philips and was always sharing the message of God's love to family and friends. Later in life, Ruth enjoyed traveling with friends, oftentimes to historical places to learn something new. She also enjoyed working on puzzles, reading and spending time at the library, and learning a new way to be even more economically smart. Most of all, Ruth's true dedication was to her grandchildren whom she loved dearly. She was preceded in death by her parents; and by her sister and brother-in-law, Lila June and Richard Kaasa. Ruth is survived by her loving husband, Raul; children, Erik Jackson, Kari (Matthew) Redding, and Kyle (Megan) Jackson; grandchildren, Jacob Redding, Sophia Redding, Finn Jackson, Carter Jackson, Haley Redding, Sully Jackson, and Quincey Jackson; brother, Duane Wilsey; and by many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Memorial services will be held 12:00 p.m. Thursday, April 21, 2022, at St. Philip's Lutheran Church in Hastings, with Pastor Gregory Geier officiating. Inurnment will take place at the church columbarium following the service. Family and friends are cordially invited to a visitation from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and to a reception immediately following the service, all at church on Thursday. Ruth's family requests no fresh-cut funeral flowers. Memorials preferred. Arrangements are being completed by Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings.