Ruth Helen (Miller) Kuechmann, 76

Ruth Helen (Miller) Kuechmann, 76, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 30, 2007, at Brendan House in Kalispell.

Ruth was born on Oct. 1, 1931, in Midwest, Wyo., to Gary and Helen Miller. They moved to Bigfork, where she attended grade school. The family moved to St. Maries, Idaho. She graduated from St. Maries High School.

Ruth met and married James H. Kuechmann in 1954. They moved to Montana.

Ruth was an extraordinary cook and a wonderful homemaker. She loved trying new recipes and cooked from scratch. She was an avid trout fisherwoman and occasionally went ice fishing. Some of her favorite memories were of fishing at Brown's lake. She loved to garden and spend time with her grandchildren and "surrogate" grandchildren in the neighborhood. She was a member of the Eagles Ladies Auxiliary No. 234 in Kalispell.

Ruth and Jim were a team. Together, they traveled extensively in Europe, South America, New Zealand and Australia, as well as all 50 states. Ruth particularly liked New Zealand, Ireland, Switzerland and Germany. Their last trip took them to Hawaii to visit their first great-grandchild.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Gary and Helen, and her brother, Vernon of St. Maries, Idaho.

She is survived by Jim, her husband of 53 years; her only son, James T. Kuechmann II and his wife, Allyson A. Kuechmann; along with three grandchildren, James R. Kuechmann III and his wife Anastasia, Tamara D. Kuechmann and Anthony C. Kuechmann; as well as a great-grandson, James N. Kuechmann IV. Ruth has three living sisters, Odessa Jones, Virginia Hauerfaat and Irene Miller; and one brother, Carl Miller.

A celebration of her life will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 5, in the Johnson Mortuary Chapel.

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.