Ruth Jean Twining, 92, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at her home in Spooner, WI, surrounded by her loved ones. Ruth was born on December 30th, 1926 in the Town of Crystal, WI, the daughter of Carl and Anna Hagen. Survived by her sister Mabel Blaha, her daughters Maureen (Kevin) Farrell and Erin (Scott) Morrison, niece Paula (Steve) Scheu, nephew Johnny (Judy) Hagen, niece Marie Masters, 8 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, and many cousins, family and friends.

In addition to her parents, Ruth was preceded in death by her loving fiancée, Arvid Pedersen, sister, Helen (and Paul) Meacham, brother, Donovan (and Pauline) Hagen, brother in-law Bud Blaha, and nephew Mark Hagen.

Ruth was proud to be a resident of Washburn County. She was born in the Township of Crystal, WI, grew up in Madge Township, and lived most of her life in Spooner. She lived a short time in Fort Lauderdale, FL, and Pasadena, CA where she and her husband Walt pursued their careers in the baking profession. After moving back to Spooner, they opened Twining's Bakery baking their famous breads and cakes that fed the community. They were recruited to Roseville, MN to start up Hove’s Bakery where Ruth worked for many years as their cake decorator. After moving back to Spooner, she enjoyed decorating cakes for Schmitz’s Economart. While in Spooner, Ruth lived with and/or cared for her Mother Anna, her father Carl, and her sister Helen. In later years she and her sister Mabel built and shared a home “they could grow old in together”.

Ruth was a true artist who lived a full and loving life. As a professional cake decorator she decorated over a million cakes in her lifetime, including cakes for presidents, the MN Vikings, the Rose Bowl, Hollywood notables and beloved family and friends. Her travels allowed her to experience other countries and develop relationships with cherished relatives in Norway. Ruth believed in the power of music and entertainment to bring joy and love to her family, friends and community. Ruth enjoyed performing for many years at the Ceska Opera House in Haugen, WI. She loved singing with and for her family, and tap dancing whenever the opportunity presented. She loved bird watching and enjoyed the variety of birds that would show up at her homemade birdfeeders. She valued her many years of volunteer work, contributing her creative energy to the Happy Days Respite Program. She loved hosting large family gatherings and holidays at her home in Spooner, always leaving room for the unexpected
 guest. Ruth was also known for sharing her delightful cookies and cakes to share with community members on holidays and throughout the year.

Ruth loved her family deeply and gave her love unconditionally to all. She was famously known for saying, "We are blessed to know what love is.” Ruth was the embodiment of love and compassion. She generously shared her love and resources with anyone in need. She was often referred to and will be remembered by many as one of the kindest people they ever met. Ruth will be greatly missed yet never forgotten as we continue to share the gifts of love and generosity she gave to us.

Services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Sunday, May 12, 2019 at the Spooner Funeral Home, 306 Rusk Street in Spooner, where visitation will be held from 1:00 P.M. until the hour of the service.  Interment at Anah Cemetery to follow. The family is planning a mid-summer celebration of life.

Per request of the family, memorials may be directed to The Happy Days Respite Program or the Ceska Opera Foundation, P.O. Box 211, Haugen, WI 54841.

Last Update: May 10, 2019 11:20 am CDT