Ruth H. Giesy, 89,

passed away Sept. 12, 2008, at her home in Whitefish, after a long battle with Parkinson's. She was born March 6, 1919, in Windham, to Bert and Bea Horn and graduated from Windham High School in 1938.

Ruth earned her Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Western Montana College in Dillon, with her first teaching assignment being in Corvallis, where she met Russell Giesy, her future husband.

On Feb. 9, 1944, Ruth married Russell D. Giesy of Corvallis, at Fort Meyers, Fla., just before he was shipped to the South Pacific as a fighter pilot in the Air Force. While Russ was overseas, Ruth continued her teaching career at Newport, Wash. After returning from the war, they moved to Missoula, to continue Russ's college education, with Ruth teaching in Arlee and Missoula. Then the two of them moved to Hysham to teach for two more years before settling permanently in Whitefish in 1951.

Ruth taught elementary school for 24 years in the Whitefish School District before her retirement in 1980. She was a dedicated teacher who cared deeply about her students (her kids) and their education. Staying after school to work with her students to ensure their success in her classroom and their future was never an imposition, but rather a reward for both herself and her students. Because of this dedication and extra effort, many of Ruth's students have contacted her through the years to thank her for her involvement in their lives.

Ruth had many hobbies that she enjoyed participating in. This included being an avid bridge and pinochle player, with other couples and her lady friends. She also enjoyed being an active member of her sewing club. Ruth and Russ also enjoyed traveling and took several overseas tours with her sisters and their husbands.

Ruth is survived by Russ, her husband of 64 years, at the family home, as well as her sons, R.D. and Lee Ann, and Roger and Karen, all of Whitefish. Her grandchildren, which were her greatest joy, Ryan, Abreon, Tevis and Kieven Giesy, all of Whitefish. She is also survived by her sisters Nina and husband Don Diedeker, Gladys Caldwell, Fridalee Horn, Edith Gamble, and Carol and husband Warren Bell; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Bert and Bea Horn; her sisters, Norma and husband Blair Elkin, Colleen and husband Joe Wolford, Ruby and husband Henry Mannix, brother Atlan and wife LaBurta Horn; brothers-in-law, Les Gamble and George Caldwell; and granddaughter, Marissa Ann Giesy.

Cremation has taken place at Austin Funeral Home. A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, at Christ Lutheran Church, 5150 River Lakes Pkwy. in Whitefish.

In lieu of flowers the family encourages memorials to be sent to Hospice Care in Kalispell.