Alma "Ruth" (Kelley) Lahti

Ruth Lahti, 94, was born in Cohoctah, Michigan on February 27, 1930, to Ruth (Jackson) and Earl John Kelley, and was raised by her mom and loving stepfather, Morris Cox. As a child, Ruth loved animals and playing in the countryside at her Grandparent’s farm. She loved the freedom and often spoke of the experiences of country living in the depression era times. Ruth often played with her cherished paper dolls with her younger sister and maintained a collection to this day. She was surrounded by her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins along with her two sisters and younger stepbrother.

After graduating from high school, Ruth attended the Mercy School of Nursing of Detroit, St. Lawrence Unit in Lansing, Michigan. She frequented Detroit Tigers games with her classmates who had box seats at the old Tiger Stadium. She often talked about getting to know and speaking with the Tigers players from the early 1950’s.

After graduating, she worked with various doctors in their private practices, the Red Cross, and several hospitals. While working in Lansing, she met the love of her life, Dr. Leslie “Les” Lahti, and after a brief courtship, they were wed in Albion, Michigan in May of 1956. Together they embarked on an incredible journey, moving from Michigan, to Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Ohio as Leslie pursued advanced degrees and they started their young family.

In addition to her nursing career, Ruth took great pride in raising their three sons, David, Mark, and Paul. She was a devoted mother, cherishing time with her family and maintaining close ties with both friends and extended family.

Although she retired from active Nursing to raise her three boys, she never lost her nursing compassion. Mark has special needs, becoming mentally and physically handicapped during the birth experience. Ruth provided unending care for Mark with an unequaled compassion.

Ruth was a devoted partner to her husband Les, who became Dean of Engineering at the University of Toledo. She hosted many dinners for the faculty and graduate students at their home. She and Les were also involved in volunteer work with the Luther Home of Mercy, where their middle son Mark now resides.

Ruth had many creative passions, from her paper doll collection she started as a young child, to arts and crafts. She enjoyed many camping trips with her family – traveling throughout the USA and visited most of the state parks in Michigan, where she loved to walk the shores of Lake Superior and collect agates.

Ruth had a lively spirit and loved to get together with good friends and family to play cards. Ruth was extremely competitive yet always made sure to have fun and enjoy this time spent with friends and family. 

After Les experienced numerous falls and mini strokes (TIA’s), she again cared for Dad until his passing in 2019. Her compassion never waned – once a nurse, always a nurse!

Ruth is preceded in death by her husband Les, and her sisters, Esther “Kiki” Lott and Janey Lockwood. She is survived by her three sons, David (Chris), Mark, and Paul (Yvonne); her grandchildren, Stephen (Kristy), Erik (Anna), Andrew, and Ryan; her great-grandchild, Bryce; and her stepbrother, George (Alice) Cox.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, September 23rd, 2024, at Olivet Lutheran Church, 5840 Monroe Street, Sylvania, Ohio 43560. In lieu of visitation, the family invites those who knew Ruth to celebrate her life at this service.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the nurses and caregivers at Lakes of Sylvania nursing home and Heartland Hospice. In honor of Ruth’s memory, the family suggests donations be made to Luther Home of Mercy in Williston, Ohio and Olivet Lutheran Church in Sylvania. Online condolences to reebfuneralhome.com

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