Ruth Ann  Liimakka, 89, of Ironwood Township, died Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013, at Westgate Nursing, Rehabilitation and Assisted Living Community in Ironwood.      The former Ruth Ann Bentilla was born Nov. 4, 1923, in Buhl, Minnesota, daughter of the late Emil and Anna (Koppana) Bentilla, and was a graduate of Buhl High School and Duluth School of Business.      She was married to the love of her life, David John Liimakka, on Nov. 16, 1946. He preceded her in death on Jan. 3, 2013.      Ruth was a Grade A dairy farmer for 40 years on the original Liimakka homestead in Ironwood Township, and was bookkeeper for Ahonen Lumber Company. She was the recipient of six awards for top small herd in Upper Michigan milk production, and exhibited dairy animals at the Gogebic County Fair beginning in 1949 and the U.P. state fair. A lifetime member of Zion Lutheran Church in Ironwood, she was active as a Bible school teacher, altar guild and women's circle member, and bible study leader. She loved to read, sew and tend to her flower garden.      Surviving are her children, Laura (David) Leak, Hastings, Minn. and Louise (Jim) Martell, Spooner, Wis.; grandchildren, Melissa (Ryan) Schmisek, Fairfax, Va., Andrea (Eric) Overgaard, Burnsville, Minn., Joe (Hannah) Martell, Cincinnati, Ohio, and Jeff Martell, Owatonna, Minn.; great-grandchildren, Lily Schmisek, Fairfax, Kaelyn and Maryn Overgaard, Burnsville, and Karsten and Sam Martell, Cincinnati; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.      Besides her parents and husband, Ruth was preceded in death by sisters, Anita Champion and Helen Sedgeman; and a brother, William Bentilla.      Funeral services will be held Saturday, Jan. 26, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 9:30 a.m., at Zion Lutheran Church, 100 W. Midland Ave., in Ironwood, with the Rev. Kurt Kovanen, pastor, officiating.      Luncheon will follow in the church fellowship hall.      Committal and interment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood, in the spring.      Pallbearers will be sons-in-law, David Leak and Jim Martell, grandsons, Joe and Jeff Martell , Tom Sedgeman and Arne Liimakka, Jr.      Memorial gifts can be given to Zion Lutheran Church or the Gogebic County Fair Board.      Condolences may be given to Ruth's family online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.      Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, Inc., Ironwood.