Funeral services for Ruth C. Callahan, age 99, of Albert Lea, will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 6, 2012, at St. James Catholic Church. Deacon Michael Ellis will officiate. Interment will be at St. James Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. To sign the guest book, go to www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Ruth died Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012, at St. John’s Lutheran Home.

Ruth C. Callahan was born on Sept.1, 1912, the daughter of John and Agnes (Mariska) Nusbaum in Warsaw Township in Rice County. She was baptized, received First Holy Communion and was confirmed in the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Waterville. Ruth attended Rice County District No. 23, graduated from Morristown High School, Faribault Norman training and Winona State College. She taught rural and accredited schools in Rice and Freeborn County. Ruth was united in marriage to Francis Callahan on Nov. 27, 1945. They lived on the family farm south of Twin Lakes. Both were active members of St. James Catholic Church, Twin Lakes, where she held various offices and was sacristan many years. After Francis died Feb. 25, 1977, Ruth lived on the farm summers and in Albert Lea during the winter. In the fall of 1991 she moved to Albert Lea to live. In December of 2006 Ruth was awarded the Bishop’s Medal for her devoted service to St. James Parish. Ruth was always a very active member of the St. James Parish and began many traditions. She started the program of giving Easter Baskets to the elderly in the Parish, the Senior Citizens Party that continued for over 20 years. She was instrumental in the interior decoration of the parish and grew flowers for the altar. She was active helping with church breakfasts, fall dinners, funerals and also Loaves and Fishes and Sacred Heart Hospice Bingo. Ruth was very generous with her time and talent to St. James Parish and her community. She enjoyed many hobbies. Ruth loved playing cards, gardening, traveling and spending time with her many nieces and nephews. Blessed be her memory.

Survivors include her brother, Stanley (Helen) Nusbaum, of Faribault, and many nieces and nephews.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Francis; brother, Everett Nusbaum; sisters, Eva (Ralph) Molm and Julia (Douglas) Rude.