Ruth Baenen

K. Ruth Baenen, 86, of Libby, died Friday, Dec. 8, 2006, at her home.

She was born March 16, 1920, in Malta to George and Myrtle Parks Baeth. She was the sixth child in a family of 13 children.

As a young girl, Ruth worked at Bolyards Grocery as a clerk. She worked in Spokane, Wash., as housekeeper and nanny for a doctor before returning to Libby in 1940.

Ruth married L. Joe Baenen Jan. 1, 1942. They enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing and sharing time between their homes in Libby and at McGregor Lake.

Ruth was first a deputy and then the elected Lincoln County assessor for 32 years. She served as president of the state Assessors Association.

Ruth was community spirited and active in local organizations. She was proud to be an active member in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, Libby Woman's Club, Tops, Montana Athletic Club, Good Sams, the Courthouse Ladies and the Red Hat Society.

She was preceded in death by her husband in 1999.

Ruth is survived by a daughter, Loretta Cook, and her, husband, Chuck, of Sandy, Utah; a son, Raymond, and his life partner, Lillian Martin, of Libby; grandchildren, Alan, Brett, Chris and Dawn Marie, all of Utah, John of Alaska and Amy of Kalispell; 13 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; brothers Kenneth Baeth and his wife, Kitty, Richard Baeth, and Brad Baeth and his wife, Shirley, all of Libby; sisters Ethel Hewitt, Mildred Whitehouse and her husband, Duane, and Edna Mae Johnson, all of Libby, Betty Lou Aakhus and her husband, Ardean, of Effie, Minn., and Edith Toal of Marin Valley, Calif.; and numerous nephews and nieces.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at Christ Lutheran Church, 200 W. Larch St. in Libby.

Local arrangements are by Nelson & Vial Funeral Home.