Mina “Ruth” Callanan

Mina Ruth Callanan, “Ruth,” 93, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother went to her heavenly home on Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at Chosen Valley Care Center, surrounded by her husband Art and all eight of her children.

Ruth was born April 1, 1932, in Preston, Minn., to George and Bessie Burns. She graduated from Preston High School in 1950.  She was united in marriage to Arthur V. Callanan on August 27, 1955, at St. Columban Catholic Church, Preston, Minn. They were approaching their 70th anniversary, a milestone most would only hope to achieve.  Together, they raised eight children: Sue (Larry) Herm, Foley, Minn., Deb (Jon) Ebner, Preston, Minn., Mick (Heidi) Callanan, Rochester, Minn., Pat (Tris) Tollefson, Preston, Minn., Marcia Collier, Farmington, Minn., Annette Herber, Rochester, Minn., Karen (Andrew) Knight, Stewartville, Minn., and Kathy Callanan, Chatfield, Minn. Ruth was blessed with 18 grandchildren: Ryan (Joanna) Herm, Eric (Blair) Herm, Kody (Rebecca) Ebner, Kristi Ebner, Shane Callanan, Jason (Allegra) Callanan, Brianna Bahl, Ross (Carrie) Bahl, Riley (Liz Abrahamson) Bahl, Trace (Jenna) Tollefson, Trent (Christina) Tollefson, Kyle (Sierra) Tollefson, Katie Tollefson, Caitlyn Collier, Mitchell Collier, Makenna Herber, Zach (Jocelyn) Herber, Tristan Knight.  She was also a loving great-grandmother to 22 great-grandchildren: Jake, Javi, Frannie, Ellie, Henry, Skylar, Jackson, Finn, Minnie, Reyna, Blake, Bridon, Liam, Amelia, August, Ellis, Madeline, Benjamin, Hadley, Lainey, Nevie, and Baby Callanan (Jason, Allegra) due November 24, 2025.

Ruth was a testament to hard work. After graduation from high school, she worked at the Red Owl grocery store in Preston, waitressed at the Victory Cafe, was a home daycare provider, and created RC catering. When she began working at the Good Samaritan Center in Preston, Minn., she started as a nursing assistant and advanced to a Trained Medical Assistant (TMA).  They saw her potential and encouraged her to return to school to pursue nursing. She completed the LPN program at Rochester Technical College, Rochester, Minn., graduating with high grades!

Family was her first love! She enjoyed many celebrations throughout the years. She provided delicious meals at our holiday gatherings. Ruth was famous for her delicious potato salad, making it by the gallons for graduations, weddings and special events. 

Ruth belonged to the Preston Summit Club, which allowed her to attend many plays and concerts. She and Art traveled to Ireland, Washington and Branson, to name a few places.  She had many collections including cardinals, gnomes, sun catchers and cookbooks.  She loved her flowers and could make any little sprig come to life turning it into a healthy plant. She enjoyed watching birds eat at the feeder outside her window at the nursing home. 

Ruth’s love for her family and friends was boundless and she treasured every memory she made with them. Her kindness, hard work and generosity will be forever in our hearts.

She will be missed dearly by all who knew her. She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Bessie Burns, brother James, stepbrother Everett Burns, sisters Betty Niemeyer and Liz Holien and baby daughter Nancy Kay. The family would like to give special thanks to the Chosen Valley Care Center staff for the excellent love and care she received. We would also like to thank St Croix Hospice for their care, kindness and compassion shown to her and our family during her final days. 

Funeral Mass will be held for Ruth on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at 11 a.m., at St. Columban Catholic Church in Preston, Minn., with Father Nicholas Gawarecki officiating. Visitation will be held prior to Mass on Tuesday, starting at 9:30 a.m. Inurnment for Ruth will take place at a later date at Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery – Preston.