Ruth Gardner Wicks, 90

Ruth went peacefully to be with her Lord and Savior on Aug. 24, 2010, at the Buffalo Hills Terrace in Kalispell, surrounded by her family, Ruth, the fourth child of Charles and Grace Bucher, was born on Nov. 21, 1919, in Colfax, Wash., where Charles owned and operated The Jersey Creamery. She joined three sisters, Helen, Mildred and Grace Margaret Peggy. Ruth graduated from Colfax High School, began college at the University of Idaho in 1937, and graduated from Cheney Normal School (now EWU) in 1940 with a degree in elementary education. While in high school, she loved her first jobs as an usher at the Colfax movie theater and wrapping butter and dipping ice cream bars at the Creamery. Her first teaching assignment was in Kelso, Wash., teaching second grade. Always the consummate saver, Ruth, after one year of teaching, saved enough money out of her ,200 per year teaching salary to purchase a round-trip train ticket and toured the United States with her best friend. While in Kelso, she met her husband of 38 years, Lt. Ray Gardner, while he trained with the U.S. Army at Fort Lewis. They married in 1942. Soon after, they moved to Fort Sill, Okla., then to Fort DuPont, Delaware, where Ray was deployed to the European theater with the 5th Corps, in World War II. Linda, Ruth and Ray s first child, was born while in Delaware. Ruth returned to be with family while Ray served overseas. In 1945, Ray returned home and re-entered the University of Idaho to complete his degree in forestry in 1946, and it was there that their second child, Cathy, was born. Ruth became a U.S. Forest Service ranger s wife where their first assignment was on the Kingston District in north Idaho. Ray was later transferred to the Flathead National Forest in Kalispell where he served as back country ranger in the Bob Marshall Wilderness at Big Prairie, then on the Condon district. Just prior to a transfer to the Tally Lake district, their third child, Chuck, was born. Ruth taught in Kalispell at the Opportunity School for several years. She left this position when Brian was born in 1956. During the Forest Service years, Ruth could be found leading the girls on hikes, picking huckleberries, climbing the fire lookout tower at the old Condon station or shooing away black bears from a food cache during remote assignments. Ruth served as a Girl Scout leader, worked at Flathead Travel, Buttrey s department store and owned and operated the Kalispell Hotel. Mom made many life-long friends, staff and students alike when, in 1967, Ray became a founding member of the staff at Flathead Valley Community College. Mom and Dad traveled domestically and abroad to visit their grown children and their families. They often gathered with Forest Service, college or church friends to play bridge, pick huckleberries, picnic or swim. She played bridge actively for many years with a devoted group of lady friends who always remained dear to her heart, and continued playing at her home at Buffalo Hill Terrace. In 1980, Ray was killed in an auto accident. Ruth married Sheldon Wicks in 1985. They enjoyed traveling and entertaining their children and grandchildren. Ruth was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church. She served on the Board of Deacons and taught Sunday school where she touched many lives. Those who knew her valued and cherished her quiet, behind-the-scenes style of ministry and mentoring. She was also a woman of prayer. She recently related how God had surely blessed her in so many ways, over so many years. Ruth was also member of P.E.O. Chapter C, Kalispell, Alpha Phi Sorority and Friendship Force. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Grace Bucher; her three sisters, Helen McCroskey (2007), Mildred Sewell (2007), and Peggy Sartwell (1995); and her husbands, Ray Gardner (1980) and Sheldon Wicks (1992). She is survived by her four children, Linda Lewis and husband, Phil, of Thompson Falls; Catherine Rasmussen and husband, Stan, of Missoula; Chuck Gardner and wife, Linda, of Alberton; and Brian Gardner and wife, Vonnie, of Kalispell; 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. A memorial service and reception for Ruth will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 27, at the Buffalo Hills Terrace. Memorial gifts may be made to the FVCC Foundation for the Community Arboretum; or the Glacier Camp and Conference Center (on Flathead Lake). Gifts for FVCC may be sent to: FVCC Foundation, 777 Grandview Dr., Kalispell, MT 59901; for information call 406-756-3963. Gifts for Glacier Camp and Conference Center may be sent to: Glacier Camp and Conference Center, P.O. Box 384, Lakeside, MT 59922. Special thanks to the staff at Immanuel Lutheran Home, Buffalo Hills Terrace, Hospice and the First Presbyterian Church for providing compassionate, loving care to Mom, and her family.