Ruth Barker, 84

Ruth Barker, 84, passed away on Jan. 11, 2005, at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Stockton, Calif. She was a resident of Flathead County for 27 years.

Ruth was born Dec. 17, 1920, in Springfield, Mass. She was raised and educated in Providence, R.I.

She married Jensen Clark Barker on Aug. 26, 1944, in Kings Chapel in Boston. They were happily married for 60 years and four months.

In 1978, Jensen retired and he and Ruth moved to Bigfork where they lived for five years and then moved to Forest Hill Village in Kalispell.

She was a librarian in Gonzales, Calif., and Twin Falls, Idaho, and volunteered at the Bigfork Library.

She loved to fish, bowl, camp and sew.

She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Jensen Clark Barker, of Kalispell; and her daughter, Joan Barker, of Stockton, Calif.

Ruth suffered from heart problems since 1990. She underwent two heart bypass surgeries and had an artificial mitral heart valve.

A memorial fund has been established in Ruth Barker's name at the International Heart Institute of Montana Foundation at 554 W. Broadway, Missoula, MT 59802. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to the memorial fund.

A memorial service will be scheduled later in the spring for friends and family.