Ruta Kalnins, age 80, of Hinckley, Minnesota passed away June 23, 2022 at Essentia Health St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth, Minnesota surrounded by family.

Ruta Kalnins was born on May 29, 1942 to Arvids and Milda (Emils) Kalnins on a farm in Allazi, Latvia where she lived until the age of 2.  During WWII, Ruta and her family fled Latvia to escape the Russian invasion and Communism in October of 1944, and found shelter in a displaced persons camp in northern Germany.  In 1949, they immigrated to America.  The Kalnins family was sponsored by the Holt family near Hinckley, MN and were also helped by many others in the surrounding area while starting their lives in America.  Ruta was often heard sharing the story of this journey.

Ruta was a graduate of the Hinckley High School Class of 1961.  On April 12, 1962 Ruta and Dennis Janssen were married.  They were blessed with four children Jamie, Kelly, Greg and Hollie.  The family lived in Pine City, Beaver Bay and Hinckley, MN.

Ruta worked a variety of jobs throughout her life but family and friends always came first.  Ruta was a dedicated mother first and foremost.  She loved spending time with family and friends.  Ruta found great joy in her grandchildren, great grandchildren and her own and everyone else's pets.  She loved to listen to music of all kinds.  Ruta prayed every day and cherished the freedom of living in America.

When talking to others about Ruta, they will often say she was fun - loving and spirited with a good heart, strong willed, tough, kind, caring, a classy and beautiful woman who could be brutally honest and always called people "honey".

Blessed be her memory.

Ruta is survived by her son, Jamie Janssen of Turtle Lake, WI; daughter, Kelly Janssen and Jeff Deiley of Elk River, MN;  son, Greg Janssen and his wife, Beth of Hinckley, MN and daughter, Hollie Lindner and her husband, Bobby of Hinckley, MN; her grandchildren, Eric Janssen, Abby Rohlik, Alex Janssen, Lauren Janssen, Courtney Solberg, Brent Janssen, Brandon Janssen and Payton Lindner; her great grandchildren, Cooper and Asher Rohlik and Willow Janssen and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Ruta was preceded in death by her former husband, Dennis Janssen; parents Arvids and Milda Kalnins; sisters Sarma Kalnins, Anda Kick, Anita Peterson, and Mara Libra.

There will be a visitation on Friday, July 29, 2022 at Methven Funeral Home in Hinckley, MN from 6-8 pm, in addition, to a visitation at 10 am prior to the church service on Saturday, July 30, 2022 at First Lutheran Church.

A memorial service and celebration of life is planned for Ruta on Saturday, July 30, 2022 at First Lutheran Church in Hinckley, MN at 11 am with Rev. Brenda Wicklund officiating.  The urn bearer is Payton Lindner and the honorary urn bearers are Ruta's Grandchildren.

Arrangements by Tatting-Methven Funeral and Cremation Services.