Ruth Adah Holmquist, 79

Ruth Adah Holmquist, 79, died from natural causes Sunday, May 27, 2007, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. She was born April 14, 1928, in Glen Cove, N.Y. She was the daughter of Charles and Adah (Hawkins) Gloss.

Ruth graduated from Glen Cove High School with honors. After graduation she worked for AT and T. She met her future husband, Paul Holmquist, at a church youth group in Hempstead, N.Y. They fell in love on a Jack Wertzen boat trip up the Hudson River. They were married Oct. 18, 1952, in Sea Cliff, N.Y., after Paul had received his discharge from the U.S. Air Force.

They then moved to Paul's hometown of Kalispell. Ruth soon was employed by P.P. and L., and later she managed the office of Montgomery Ward. She then joined the U.S. Census Bureau as an interviewer, traveling the surrounding areas for 26 years. She enjoyed this work a lot, though it was tough drive alone in the winter months.

She raised two children while working. As a 4-H leader, she worked with many family and other children. She was an excellent crotchetier, cook, and bookkeeper. Ruth helped her husband, Paul, develop and build up their residential construction company.

Ruth loved taking two weeks each winter to visit Florida and her sister, Marilyn, in St. Petersburg. She loved the ocean, the beautiful sand, and swimming in the ocean's inviting warm water.

Ruth had a green thumb and tended hundreds of flowers and plants. Her health deteriorated in recent years. Most recently, she was in Renaissance Assisted Living.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; and many cousins. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Paul Holmquist, of Kalispell; her daughter, Karen Maroney, and husband, Ron, of Portland; one son, Allen Holmquist, of Kalispell, and his children, Tabitha and April Holmquist, of Seattle; her sister, Marylin, in Florida; and many other relatives.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 31, 2007, at Johnson Mortuary chapel, with Pastor John Weaver officiating. Burial will be afterward at the Conrad Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will take place one hour before the services, and when the service ends for family and friends to attend briefly.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Ruth's family. You are invited to go to www.johnsonmortuary.com to offer condolences and sign Ruth's guest book.