Ruth Evelyn Lemon, 87, Helena, transitioned Wednesday May 8, 2013, at her residence in the Touchmark Assisted Living Facility supported by loving family, Touchmark and Hospice staff.
Ruth was born on September 3, 1925 in Helena, Montana, the second of 6 children born to Earl Bain and Ruth Elizabeth (O’Neill) Ramsey. She attended Helena schools including Helena High and on January 26, 1943 was married to Harry LeRoy Lemon in Butte. Ruth and Harry raised a family of five children while both worked to support their family. As a long-standing member of St. Mary’s parish she valued her Catholic faith and later her time as a Eucharistic Minister at Our Lady of the Valley. Ruth first loved her family and every opportunity to be among her children, grand, great-grand and great- great-grandchildren. She loved playing games with the kids, coffee and conversation with friends, knitting and crochet, and gardening as she surrounded herself with the beauty of colorful flowers. In her final years Ruth was the unofficial ‘Hall Monitor’ as she sat just outside her apartment to greet, each by name, residents and staff at Touchmark with a smile, with a kind word for all.
Ruth worked briefly at JC Penney and later held accounting positions for the IRS and the Office of Public Instruction (OPI). She was valued as a great coworker and friend wherever she worked.
Ruth is survived by 4 of her children, Andrea (Doug) Dandro, Donna Carkeek, Robert (Stephanie) Lemon and Patrice (Tom) Armbruster; grandchildren Troy, Scott & Gerry Dupuis, Wendy Shovlin, Trevor & Seth Carkeek, Brad & Joel Lemon, Kendra Egan and Kayla DeBono; 19 great grandchildren and 8 great-great-grandchildren; her sisters Lorena Taylor, Rosemary Ross, & brother David Ramsey; Ruth was blessed with loving step-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws too numerous to name but never too many to love and cherish. While Ruth had many, many friends she was ‘best friends’ for years with Mary O’Reilly (deceased) and supported generously in her last years by Dorothy Haven, her senior companion at Touchmark.
Ruth was predeceased by her loving husband Harry (2003), her eldest daughter Sharon Hoff-Brodowy (2005), Son-in-law Don Hoff (1997) grandson Michael Dupuis (2009); her brother Earl Ramsey (2011) and sister Patricia Freeman (2011).
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held for Ruth on Monday, May 13th at 1:00 pm in the Chapel at Touchmark, 915 Saddle Drive, Helena, followed by a cake reception in the same location. Interment will follow at 3:00 at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison as she is placed to rest with Harry. Anderson Stevenson Wilke is facilitating funeral arrangements. Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer the family condolences or to share a memory of Ruth.
Donations can be made in Ruth’s name to the charity of your choice.
Her family is eternally grateful to Dorothy Havens, the loving staff and residents who became her Touchmark ‘family’, the Frontier Hospice staff and all those who took the time to visit her, serve her food or weekly Communion and share in the blessing that was her life.
Ruth, whose biblical name means ‘Companion, friend, and vision of beauty’ lived up to her name and was the sweetest Lemon anyone will ever experience – she will be deeply missed by her family and friends.
Service Schedule
Reception
Following the Memorial Service
Monday May 13, 2013
Touchmark Card Room
915 Saddle Drive
Helena, MT 59601
Burial
3:00 p.m.
Monday May 13, 2013
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Fort Harrison, MT 59636
Service Schedule
Reception
Following the Memorial Service
Monday May 13, 2013
Touchmark Card Room
915 Saddle Drive
Helena, MT 59601
Burial
3:00 p.m.
Monday May 13, 2013
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Fort Harrison, MT 59636
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Mary Dolan says
So sorry to hear of Ruth’s passing – she was a friend from the beginning of our church.
Our prayers are with all of her family.
Gail DeBono says
The loss of Ruth will affect many, many lives. She was a great lady and I thought of her as another Mom. I will miss Tuesday night visits with the kids. Have a Lemon Drop Martini to celebrate Ruth’s life.
Linda & John Neal says
Thoughts and prayers with all of you. Remember to celebrate a life well lived and love that was passed on to all of you.