Ruth Plumlee

Ruth Marie Plumlee, 81, of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, died Thursday, Jan. 4, 2007, at her home.

She was born July 7, 1925, at the home of her parents, Ralph and Sayde Welch. Weighing 3 pounds, 7 ounces, Ruth was kept warm in a box on the wood cookstove.

She attended eight grades at Pine Grove School, later known as Northside School. During the winter, Ruth and her sisters were taken to school in a horse-drawn sleigh driven by their father.

Ruth graduated from Bonners Ferry High School in 1943. As a senior, she worked part time in the KV Creamery office.

Ruth married Ray Plumlee on Nov. 18, 1943, in Libby.

She returned to school after raising her family, graduating in 1967 as a licensed practical nurse.

Ruth worked as the evening supervisor in the ECF wing of Boundary Community Hospital and with Truesdale Insurance Agency. She retired in 1989 as the administrator of the Community Restorium.

Ruth belonged to and held many offices with the Matron of the Order of Eastern Star No. 31.

She enjoyed family, especially her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. After retiring Ruth enjoyed spending time with her companion, Wayne Robinson of Bonners Ferry who survives, square dancing, at the senior center and attending her grandchildren's sporting events and activities.

She was preceded in death by her husband and a daughter, Charlene Marie Smith.

Ruth also is survived by sisters Betty Paulson of Libby and Luella Green and her husband, Chuck, of Auburn, Calif.; daughter Sandra Rae Fulgham and her husband, Gene, of Libby; son-in-law Jim Smith II of Bonners Ferry; grandchildren Michelle Fulgham and Ulf Ohnback, Ted Fulgham and his wife, Evonne, Paula Stiles and her husband, Doug, Jolene Zimmerman and Darrell Sanders, Alichia Eby and her husband, Travis, Jessica Smith, James Smith III, Gabrielle Nye, Wendy Bertling and her husband, Tim, and Jennifer Balzer and her husband, Shawn; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Friends may call from noon to 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, at Bonners Ferry Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 12, at the United Methodist Church in Bonners Ferry with the Rev. James Murphy officiating. Burial will follow at Grandview Cemetery.

Ruth's online guest book is available at www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com.

Memorials may be sent to Boundary County Senior Center.