Barbara J. Ruotsalainen, age 91, of Lake Norden, SD, passed away on Monday, March 23, 2026, at the Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, ND. A Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until the Funeral Service at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, March 27, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lake Norden, SD. A luncheon and time of fellowship will begin at noon in the church basement. Interment will follow the service at Trinity Cemetery in rural Lake Norden.

Barbara J. Koistinen Ruotsalainen was born on December 3, 1934, the daughter Adrian and Edna (Hanger) Koistinen. Barbara received her education in rural school in Florence #2 and was a graduate of the Lake Norden High School in 1952. She was united in marriage to Clifford K. Ruotsalainen on June 26, 1955 in Lake Norden. After their marriage they lived in Iowa, North Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming and South Dakota, where Clifford worked road construction until 1963. In 1963, they moved to Lake Norden. In 1976, Barbara was employed at the Lake Norden Care Center where she continued to work until her retirement in 1998.

She was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, the church circle, the Live and Learn Club and the Food Pantry. She enjoyed reading, baking, crocheting and especially spending time with family and friends.

Barbara is survived by her 6 children; Sherri Tormanen (Randy) of Lake Norden, SD, Richie Ruotsalainen (Laura) of Battleground, WA, Bradley (Kelly) Ruotsalainen of Wichita, KS, Jan Sowers (Stanley) of Lake Norden, SD, Daniel Ruotsalainen (Lori) of Lake Norden, SD, and Devon Graham (Lance) of Rapid City, SD; a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well as her sister LaVonne Miller (Bill) of Bismarck, ND.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Adrian and Edna; husband, Clifford and brothers Duane and Donald.