Ruth Louise Anderson, 89, passed peacefully from this life with her family and friends at her side on June 16, 2015. She was born February 14, 1926 in Mt Vernon, New York to immigrant parents from Sweden, Joseph and Frida Olson. Ruth was very proud of her Swedish heritage and learned the Swedish language from her parents.
Her early years were spent living outside New York City, where she perfected such skills as jumping off the garage roof with an umbrella for a parachute. Her father’s employment kept bringing the family closer to NYC, first to the Bronx, then near New Rochelle. Each move brought smaller living quarters. Eventually her father took a position as sexton of Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church in lower Manhattan where they found a very small apartment near-by. The apartment had only one bedroom, so Ruth slept on the living room sofa. However, the family found a wonderful neighborhood of Swedes there and she made friendships that lasted her entire life.
Ruth received her education in New York City. She started out as a professional secretary and continued in that profession during her lifetime, taking time off to raise her young children. She especially enjoyed working for Steffick Equipment and the Montana Aeronautics Division in Helena, MT. One of the things she wanted to do was to learn to pilot a plane, and had completed ground school.
Ruth met her future husband, soul mate and life’s companion, John Stanley Anderson, at church choir at Gustavus Adolphus Church during World War II while he was stationed in New York City. They continued singing together in different choirs at various churches where they lived.
John and Ruth were married in June 1948 after John graduated from New York Medical School and a wonderful life started for them together. Four children were added to this union.
Because of his medical training and being recalled back to military service many times, they moved frequently. From New York City they started out in Akron, Ohio, then moved to New Orleans, LA, Zushi Japan, Wichita, KS, and Pueblo, CO. Ruth always wanted to live in the ‘real’ west and her dream was fulfilled in 1961 when John became the Director of the Montana State Health Department and they finally came to Helena, MT where they lived ‘happily ever after.’
Some of the activities Ruth enjoyed were square dancing, hiking, and cross country skiing. She particularly liked hiking up Mt Helena on a regular basis, and did this well into her 70’s. Out of town visitors were invited to join her, and there are some great tales of those treks. She took up running and continued this into her 70’s. She often won in her age division, and was very proud of her running awards. She also just enjoyed being outdoors enjoying nature.
She loved music, and was so grateful to her mother for cleaning other people’s apartments in NYC in order to provide her with piano lessons. She sang in the choir of every church she attended, including St John’s in Helena, and only stopped when John was unable to continue. She absolutely adored being part of St John’s bells choir. One of her favorite things was attending the Symphony Under the Stars in Helena.
Ruth and John travelled through the Elderhostel program. They visited many places in the US, plus international trips to the Scandinavian countries, which included Iceland and the Baltic Sea countries.
Her family was everything to her. She and John were not only a true love match, but remarkably compatible and did almost everything together. She was a wonderful and devoted mother to her 4 children, and provided a role model that they still aspire to live up to. And when grandchildren and great-grandchildren came along, that was just the most terrific thing in the world to her.
She made friends everywhere she lived and treasured and maintained these friendships during her lifetime. She became an avid scrap booker and many books are filled with her pictures and descriptions, helping to keep our family history recorded for generations to come.
Ruth was active at St John’s Lutheran Church in Helena. She was so grateful for the life she had that whenever possible she would help those in need, and there is not enough room here to list all those she so kindly helped in big ways and small throughout her lifetime. She did this easily and from her heart.
Affectionately known as ‘Momo’ to her family, she leaves behind a lasting legacy of faith, love of friends and family, and service to others. We will miss her massively, as she leaves behind shoes too big to fill. Thank you Mom, for all your love, laughter, and kindness. We know where you are.
She is preceded in death by her husband John, who passed on January 20, 2015. She is survived by her four children, Linnea Blair, Portsmouth, NH, John K. Anderson, Missoula, MT, Linda (Kerry) Swindler, Mott, ND, and Carol (K. Bill) Clark, Missoula, MT; five grandchildren, Erin (Bill) Oberlander, Nathan (Angie) Swindler, Hollie (Lewis) Kuppler, Cairn (Laura) Clark, Seth Clark; and 4 great grandchildren.
The family would especially like to thank all the people who helped her and her family during her final stage of life: the staff at Touchmark, the staff on the medical floor of St Peter’s Hospital, Hospice, Anna Mae, Steve and Christi, Sheryl, Darlene, Blake, Pastor Brad, and all the other special friends who enriched Mom’s last year of life.
Please join us at the service to honor her life, Saturday, June 27, 2pm, St John’s Lutheran Church, Helena, MT. A reception will follow. Interment of cremains will be for family at Fort Harrison, Monday, June 29.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St John’s Lutheran Church Sanctuary Choir Fund, 1000 Helena Ave, Helena, MT 59601; or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater Northwest Chapter, PO Box 21269, Seattle, WA, 98111-3269. A great way to honor Ruth would be to volunteer to help someone out in her memory.
Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Ruth.
Lyckan kommer lyckan går,
den Gud älskar lyckan får
Happiness comes, happiness goes
The one who loves God receives happiness and success
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
2:00 p.m.
Saturday June 27, 2015
St. John's Lutheran Church
1000 Helena Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
After the service
Saturday June 27, 2015
St. John's Lutheran Church
1000 Helena Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
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Maxine & Tom Ferguson says
Ruth was a wonderful lady to know, not only as a neighbor, but as the wife of Dr. John. We have fond memories of the neighborhood pot-luck gatherings they hosted in their beautiful home and yard. Ruth inspired us with her energy, wisdom, and warmness.
Mike and Donna Rogan says
I am so sorry to hear of Ruth’s passing. I worked with Ruth at the Aeronautics Division for about three years until she retired. Ruth was a hoot to work with. She always had a smile on her face. After Ruth retired she continued to help Marth Kurtz with the annual Montana Aviation Conference until Martha left the Division for another job. I remember in about 1989 when the conference was in Butte, Kathy Hoyrup and I were sitting around and decided to get a spare key to Ruth’s room. We proceeded to short sheet Ruth’s bed. Of course you could not fool Ruth. The short sheeting worked but she knew we did it. The next morning we were eating breakfast in the motel cafe and Ruth walked behind me and slapped me on the head as she walked by, we all had a good laugh over that one. Ruth you were a treasure and we will all miss you dearly.
Mike and Donna Rogan
THE PORTER FAMILY ---IN WISC. says
SORRY WE DID NOT HAVE THE OPPROTUNITY TO KNOW RUTH AND JOHN,BUT HEARD SO MANY WONDERFUL THINGS ABOUT THEM. WHAT BEAUTIFUL LIVES THEY HAD AND THE LOVE THEY SHARED. MAY THEY ALWAYS BE A BLESSING AND KNOWING THEIR DAUGHTER CAROL AND BILL AND GRANDCHILDREN. WE KNOW WHAT A GREAT JOB THEY DID RAISING THEM.SO MUCH TO BE PROUD OF AS THEY WILL LOOK DOWN AND SMILE–ON THEM!
FONDLY THE PORTER FAMILY
Martha Kurtz says
I was so saddened to learn of Ruth’s passing. Her cheerful optimism and willingness to face whatever came her way – her sense of fun – her quiet giving nature – the friendship she offered over the many years I’ve known her – all have been truly inspiring. Her passing certainly leaves a gap in my life, but I consider having known her to be a true gift. May all those wonderful memories provide peace to you, her family, and to the rest of us who have been blessed to have been a part of her life.
Quentin Lee Schroeter (for NAMI Mont.) says
Ruth Anderson was a Marvelous, Wonderful Human Being——My Mother, Marjorie Schroeter, was the Piano Teacher who gave Lessons to all the children of Ruth and Dr. John Anderson———Also, Marjorie and Ruth were VERY close “Buds”—-Ruth was also my dear Friend——She imbued Joy and well-being throughout her Life—-and she was a loyal ‘Helpmate”l and an extlraordinary Care-giver to her husband during his final years. As a very special person, she was ‘Open’, encouraging, and Loving to ALOT of people and replete with unconditional Acceptance. I was indeed Blessed to have known her. Quentin
Joe Munzenrider says
Dear Linea and the other family members that I have not met,
I’ve missed the presence of Ruth and John the past few years. They were such wonderful friends of the music, and the organ, at St. John’s. They did not miss a single organ recital that I’ve given there – probably since the organ was installed in 1968! – and I’ve always appreciated their support and friendship. The congregation will miss them – younger shurch members simply do not have the steadfast committment that Ruth and John exhibited at St. John’s. I hope all of you experience the best kind of melancholy with Ruth’s passing – sadness that she is no longer with you, with gladness for the wonderful experiences and memories that you still hold.