Ruth Lucille Bryan, 96

'Ruth Lucille Bryan went quietly to be with her Lord and savior Jesus Christ' on Friday, May 30, 2008, at Heritage Place in Kalispell.

Ruth was brought to Columbia Falls in October 2004 to live with her only child, Ron, after the death of her husband, Kenneth. They were married almost 75 years before his death in Wichita, Kan.

Ruth was born Feb. 11, 1912, in Agra, Kan., to Virgil and Ada Hodson. She graduated with honors from high school in Emporia, Kan., and soon after married Kenneth Bryan, a teacher, during the Depression in 1930. She taught school for a short time before both went to work in the 'war plants' during World War II.

She was the youngest of three brothers and two sisters; all have preceded her in glory.

Her greatest love beside her family was playing the piano and organ at various churches she attended, as well as for weddings, and funerals. She was self-taught and often played for soloists and choirs in churches serving her Lord for more than 70 years. When she was moved from Kansas to Montana, she brought her precious piano with her and continued to play most of the time without music in front of her.

Because of ill health, she was moved in 2006 into Heritage Place in Kalispell, yet continued to play for a short time.

Ruth had a heart of gold, showing kindness to all she came in contact with, and always with a smile. She will be missed by all who knew her, 'yet she is now without pain in her heavenly home.'

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 3, at the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls, with the Rev. Jerry Buchanan officiating. Burial will be afterward at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia Falls.