Vida MT – Ruth Jane Blair Wanderaas, age 81, passed away peacefully while surrounded by her loving family at the RiverStone Horizon Hospice Home in Billings, MT on Friday, January 23, 2009 after a courageous battle against cancer.
Born to Thomas and Helen (Piper) Blair on October 20, 1927 in Spokane, Washington, Ruth was the oldest of three daughters. She was raised and educated in the farming community of Oaksdale, located in the Palouse Hills of Eastern Washington. A graduate of Washington State University, she taught home economics in Yakima and Deer Park, Washington and in Wolf Point, Montana.
While teaching in Wolf Point, she met and married Bernard Wanderaas, a Vida area farmer, the love of her life. Following their marriage she changed her vocation to that of being a supportive partner in the farming operation and raising their large family. She was a devoted wife and mother. Her family and friends will greatly miss her.
Quiet in spirit and full of grace, her gift for nurturing, care and compassion for all those around her, remains her legacy. She was most content when she knew her family was content.
Her passions included her daily walk with her Lord and Savior, raising her family, attending activities of her children and grandchildren, sewing, reading, writing, gardening, traveling, searching for undiscovered treasures in thrift shops, entertaining, and all things culinary. Ruth was the organization leader of the Redwater Raiders 4-H Club, a member of the Sunnyside Homemakers Club, and a member of The First Lutheran Church of Wolf Point.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, an infant daughter, her sister, June Williams, and son-in-law Terry Dobson.
Survivors include: her husband, Bernard of Vida; sons, David Wanderaas (Kim) of Harlowton and Steve Wanderaas (Cathy) of Vida; daughters, Camille Spitzer (Bill), Melody Dobson, and Bernadine Strange (Mike) all of Billings, Bonnie Bohmbach (Clark) of Charlson, North Dakota, and Sylvia Wanderaas of San Jose, California; sister, RoseMary Gaspari (Dick) of Roseville, California; sister-in-law, Helen Youst of Billings, Montana; as well as her many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
A Family service will be held at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point on Wednesday, January 28th at 7pm. A Celebration of Ruth’s life will be he held at 11:00am Thursday, January 29th at First Lutheran Church of Wolf Point. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery following the service. A luncheon will be held at the church following graveside services. Condolences may be sent to the family at csmc@nemontel.net or www.stevensonandsons.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point.
The family wishes to give special thanks to Dr. Thomas Purcell, Diane Jones NP, and the amazing oncology nurses and staff at the Billings Clinic. Also special thanks to all the dedicated and compassionate staff of RiverStone Horizon Hospice Home who shared our laughter and our tears and helped us create some beautiful and priceless family memories during Ruth’s last seven months of her journey home. And finally a huge thank you to all of you who kept our family in your thoughts and prayers and encouraged us along the way.
Memorials may be made to RiverStone Horizon Hospice Home, The Roosevelt County Library of Wolf Point or to a charity of one’s choice.