Ruth O. Kolden, 89

Ruth O. Kolden was born Jan. 22, 1919, in Hallock, Minn., to Ole and Gina (Foss) Moen. She passed away at home, surrounded by family, on Feb. 12, 2008, just three weeks after her 89th birthday.

Her early childhood was spent in Missoula. The family later moved to Wolf Point, where she received her education.

Ruth married Harold Kolden on Oct. 30, 1939, in Kalispell. They started their 68 years of marriage in Harlem. Due to Harold's work and the war, they moved several times, from Harlem to Whitefish, then to Vancouver, Wash., and back to Whitefish in 1946.

Ruth and Harold had four girls when they moved to Kalispell, in 1952. Their son was born a few years later. In 1972, Harold's job took them to Great Falls, where they resided until 1998, when they moved to Missoula to be near family.

Ruth loved being a homemaker and enjoyed sewing garments and quilts for family and friends. She always welcomed visitors with coffee and cookies or a hearty meal. Her faithfulness to God through the years has been an encouragement and an example to her family.

Ruth and Harold enjoyed many years of retirement together, traveling, camping, and fishing with numerous friends.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Harold, in October 2007, and her parents and infant brother, Gordon.

She is survived by one brother, Harold Moen of Kalispell; two sisters, Helen Moen and Norma Braaten, both of Missoula; and one sister-in-law, Margaret Deering of Kalispell; her five children, Janice Potter of Spokane, Karen and Allen Dykstra of Thompson Falls, Lois and Richard Benjamin of Great Falls, Marla and Howard Dykstra of Plains, and Norman and Bonnie Kolden of Missoula; 15 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, at the Expo Building at the Flathead County Fairgrounds. Burial will follow at Glacier Memorial Gardens. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for Ruth's family.