Ruth Virginia McKay was born on June 17, 1927 in Winnebago, MN, the daughter of George and Alta (Witmer) McKay. She was baptized and confirmed at the Presbyterian Church in Winnebago, MN. She graduated from Winnebago High School in 1945 and attended St. Cloud State University, graduating in 1949 with a double major in math and physical education.
She taught school in Fergus Falls, MN from 1949 to 1951. On June 23, 1951 she was united in marriage to Carl O. Onkka at the Presbyterian Church in Litchfield, MN. The couple made their home in Cokato, MN where she worked for Johnson Produce as an office clerk from 1951to 1953 and taught junior high math for several years. The couple then moved to Thief River Falls where she taught physical education at Lincoln High School from 1966 to 1986 when she retired. Throughout her teaching career she served as the girl's golf and volleyball coach and cheerleading advisor.
Following her retirement she spent the summer months at Springsteel Resort on Lake of the Woods. Ruth was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, VFW and American Legion Auxiliaries, taught Sunday school at Trinity Lutheran Church for several years and enjoyed bowling, golfing, fishing and watching all sports.
Ruth is survived by her husband Carl O. Onkka, Thief River Falls; children Michael (Debra) Onkka, Pleasant Hill, MO, Steven Onkka, Aberdeen, SD, Cheri (Ron) Pula, Bemidji, MN, Jon (Susana) Onkka, Woodbridge, VA, David (Cyndi) Onkka, Thief River Falls; grandchildren Justin Helgren, Adam Helgren, Amber Helgren, Aaron Onkka, Kimberlee Onkka, Chris Onkka, Kari Onkka, Samantha Pula, Scott Pula, Bryan Onkka, Kristen Onkka, Nicholas Torres, Richard McArthur, Timothy McArthur, Christina McArthur, Phillip Onkka, Nick Onkka, Carter Onkka; great grandchildren Justin Michael Helgren, Vivica Mercedes Helgren, Esabel Alexis Helgren; sister-in-law Fern McKay, Cokato; niece Vicki McKay, Upper Marlboro, MD; nephews Gary McKay, Cokato, MN and Barry McKay, Baltimore, MD.
She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Eileen Oothoudt and brother Wayne McKay.
She taught school in Fergus Falls, MN from 1949 to 1951. On June 23, 1951 she was united in marriage to Carl O. Onkka at the Presbyterian Church in Litchfield, MN. The couple made their home in Cokato, MN where she worked for Johnson Produce as an office clerk from 1951to 1953 and taught junior high math for several years. The couple then moved to Thief River Falls where she taught physical education at Lincoln High School from 1966 to 1986 when she retired. Throughout her teaching career she served as the girl's golf and volleyball coach and cheerleading advisor.
Following her retirement she spent the summer months at Springsteel Resort on Lake of the Woods. Ruth was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, VFW and American Legion Auxiliaries, taught Sunday school at Trinity Lutheran Church for several years and enjoyed bowling, golfing, fishing and watching all sports.
Ruth is survived by her husband Carl O. Onkka, Thief River Falls; children Michael (Debra) Onkka, Pleasant Hill, MO, Steven Onkka, Aberdeen, SD, Cheri (Ron) Pula, Bemidji, MN, Jon (Susana) Onkka, Woodbridge, VA, David (Cyndi) Onkka, Thief River Falls; grandchildren Justin Helgren, Adam Helgren, Amber Helgren, Aaron Onkka, Kimberlee Onkka, Chris Onkka, Kari Onkka, Samantha Pula, Scott Pula, Bryan Onkka, Kristen Onkka, Nicholas Torres, Richard McArthur, Timothy McArthur, Christina McArthur, Phillip Onkka, Nick Onkka, Carter Onkka; great grandchildren Justin Michael Helgren, Vivica Mercedes Helgren, Esabel Alexis Helgren; sister-in-law Fern McKay, Cokato; niece Vicki McKay, Upper Marlboro, MD; nephews Gary McKay, Cokato, MN and Barry McKay, Baltimore, MD.
She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Eileen Oothoudt and brother Wayne McKay.
Ruth Virginia McKay was born on June 17, 1927 in Winnebago, MN, the daughter of George and Alta (Witmer) McKay. She was baptized and confirmed at the Presbyterian Church in Winnebago, MN. She graduated from Winnebago High School in 1945 and attended St. Cloud State University, graduating in 1949 with a double major in math and physical education.
She taught school in Fergus Falls, MN from 1949 to 1951. On June 23, 1951 she was united in marriage to Carl O. Onkka at the Presbyterian Church in Litchfield, MN. The couple made their home in Cokato, MN where she worked for Johnson Produce as an office clerk from 1951to 1953 and taught junior high math for several years. The couple then moved to Thief River Falls where she taught physical education at Lincoln High School from 1966 to 1986 when she retired. Throughout her teaching career she served as the girl's golf and volleyball coach and cheerleading advisor.
Following her retirement she spent the summer months at Springsteel Resort on Lake of the Woods. Ruth was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, VFW and American Legion Auxiliaries, taught Sunday school at Trinity Lutheran Church for several years and enjoyed bowling, golfing, fishing and watching all sports.
Ruth is survived by her husband Carl O. Onkka, Thief River Falls; children Michael (Debra) Onkka, Pleasant Hill, MO, Steven Onkka, Aberdeen, SD, Cheri (Ron) Pula, Bemidji, MN, Jon (Susana) Onkka, Woodbridge, VA, David (Cyndi) Onkka, Thief River Falls; grandchildren Justin Helgren, Adam Helgren, Amber Helgren, Aaron Onkka, Kimberlee Onkka, Chris Onkka, Kari Onkka, Samantha Pula, Scott Pula, Bryan Onkka, Kristen Onkka, Nicholas Torres, Richard McArthur, Timothy McArthur, Christina McArthur, Phillip Onkka, Nick Onkka, Carter Onkka; great grandchildren Justin Michael Helgren, Vivica Mercedes Helgren, Esabel Alexis Helgren; sister-in-law Fern McKay, Cokato; niece Vicki McKay, Upper Marlboro, MD; nephews Gary McKay, Cokato, MN and Barry McKay, Baltimore, MD.
She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Eileen Oothoudt and brother Wayne McKay.
She taught school in Fergus Falls, MN from 1949 to 1951. On June 23, 1951 she was united in marriage to Carl O. Onkka at the Presbyterian Church in Litchfield, MN. The couple made their home in Cokato, MN where she worked for Johnson Produce as an office clerk from 1951to 1953 and taught junior high math for several years. The couple then moved to Thief River Falls where she taught physical education at Lincoln High School from 1966 to 1986 when she retired. Throughout her teaching career she served as the girl's golf and volleyball coach and cheerleading advisor.
Following her retirement she spent the summer months at Springsteel Resort on Lake of the Woods. Ruth was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, VFW and American Legion Auxiliaries, taught Sunday school at Trinity Lutheran Church for several years and enjoyed bowling, golfing, fishing and watching all sports.
Ruth is survived by her husband Carl O. Onkka, Thief River Falls; children Michael (Debra) Onkka, Pleasant Hill, MO, Steven Onkka, Aberdeen, SD, Cheri (Ron) Pula, Bemidji, MN, Jon (Susana) Onkka, Woodbridge, VA, David (Cyndi) Onkka, Thief River Falls; grandchildren Justin Helgren, Adam Helgren, Amber Helgren, Aaron Onkka, Kimberlee Onkka, Chris Onkka, Kari Onkka, Samantha Pula, Scott Pula, Bryan Onkka, Kristen Onkka, Nicholas Torres, Richard McArthur, Timothy McArthur, Christina McArthur, Phillip Onkka, Nick Onkka, Carter Onkka; great grandchildren Justin Michael Helgren, Vivica Mercedes Helgren, Esabel Alexis Helgren; sister-in-law Fern McKay, Cokato; niece Vicki McKay, Upper Marlboro, MD; nephews Gary McKay, Cokato, MN and Barry McKay, Baltimore, MD.
She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Eileen Oothoudt and brother Wayne McKay.
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