Our Mom presented our Dad with the greatest birthday gift of all. Ruth passed away peacefully, May 18, 2011 (Our Dad’s birthday) at North Valley Extended Care in Tonasket, joining her husband, Cecil of 60 years.

Ruth was born Sept. 21, 1924 in Pine Creek to homesteaders, Fritz and Frieda Ammann. Around 1939, Fritz moved his family to Tonasket and bought a house next to the cemetery. Ruth met the boy next door and Ruth and Cecil were married Nov. 26, 1942.

Boots worked for Wenoka/Chief Tonasket Growers for 50 years as a flunky and apple sorter.

Boots and Cecil took great pride in their yard and garden. She canned and froze everything in sight. There wasn’t a flower or rose in her yard that she couldn’t name and she had 42 rose bushes. She was the best pie and breadmaker. She also loved to crochet and made numerous afghans and doilies. Boot’s favorite music was Daniel O’Donnell and in earlier years the Mariners.

Ruth entered North Valley Extended Care in 2002. She loved everyone there and received the best care ever.

Ruth is survived by son Ivan and Linda Moore, Custer, Wash.; daughters Susie and John Brown, Tonasket, Debbie Stengar, Maricopa, Ariz., Trudy and Joey Marino, Ferndale, Wash. and Lisa and Doug Haveman, Ferndale, Wash.; sister Betty (Bunny) Walvatne, Seattle; 13 grandkids, 12 great grandkids three great great grandkids and a special sister-in-law, Carol Van Derschelden, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Cecil; son Gary; sisters Liz Karas and Marie Van Derschelden and brothers Bill, Hans and Fred Ammann.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, May 24, 2011 11 a.m. at the Hope Lutheran Church in Tonasket, interment followed at the Tonasket Cemetery. Memorials may be made to North Valley Extended Care.

Bergh Funeral Service of Oroville/Tonasket in care of arrangements.