Ruth Baker Obituary

Ruth Mary Baker

Dec 10, 1935 - Jan 5, 2026

Huron

Ruth Mary (Schaefer) Baker, 90, of Huron, passed away Monday, January 5, 2025.

She was born December 10, 1935, in Sandusky to the late William Schaefer and Myrtie (Bristol) Schaefer. Ruthie graduated from Sandusky High School and Bowling Green State University, from where she was recognized as a Jennings Institute Educator for her outstanding ability. For nearly 30 years, she taught at Campbell Elementary School in Sandusky and was loved and respected by many of her 4th-grade students, several of whom kept in touch with her throughout her long life and often visited her. Ruthie was regarded as a caring and compassionate teacher, as well as interesting and edgy. Several students recall her driving her fast Mustang car and her enormous love for playing baseball with the students at recess!

Ruthie was heavily involved with and devoted to First Congregational United Church of Christ in Sandusky. She was an artist who enjoyed creating her own artwork, specializing in hand-drawn and painted works, with a focus on nature. She also painted murals throughout the church. She had an appreciation for the arts, cinema, architecture, painting, and adored traveling to Europe. She was fascinated with England. She loved animals, particularly her own dogs, Cricket, Penny, and Tam, other people's dogs and her beloved cat, Kit-Kat. Later in life, she became obsessed with cardinals, watching them, feeding them, and collecting and wearing cardinal items. Ruthie will be remembered for her sweetness and her sweet tooth. She especially enjoyed her niece's homemade sugar cookies, Werther's Originals, and Toft's hot fudge sundaes.

She is survived by her sister, Carolyn Smith of Williamsburg, Virginia; her devoted niece, Brenda Bahnsen (Jim); nephew, William Schaefer (Janny); great-nieces and nephews, Heather, Heidi, and Heath Weilnau; Warren-Newton, Nathan, and Jackson Schaefer; Zachary Eckel and Chelsey Meagrow; as well as 11 great-great-grand nieces and nephews. She had several close friends, and former students, whom she considered daughters, Becky Waldock, Debbie Moran Boxerbaum, and Kim Campbell; and she adored many of the wonderful nurses and staff who cared for her at The Meadows at Osborn Park.

Ruthie was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Warren Bristol Schaefer; and beloved brother-in-law, Bob Smith.

Family and friends may visit from 10-11 a.m. with funeral service beginning at 11 a.m. Monday, January 12, 2026, at Toft Funeral Home & Crematory, 2001 Columbus Ave., Sandusky. Pastor Liesl Higgins will officiate. A light luncheon will immediately follow. Burial will take place at Sand Hill Cemetery, located at the corner of Skadden and Mason Roads, Sandusky.

Memorial contribu-tions in Ruthie's name may be made to ALS Foundation or SCPA. Condolences may be shared online at toftfuneralhome.com.