Verna (Koski) Ruffatto, 89

Our loving mother, grandmother, aunt and friend, Verna, passed away surrounded by family on Monday, Jan. 4, 2010, at her home in Whitefish. Verna was born on April 9, 1920, at Washoe, to Kusti Koski, a hard-working coal mining father and Kerttu Gertrude Krook, a loving, caring mother. Being of Finnish heritage, they moved to the Finn Hall in Red Lodge. She moved to Butte at the age of 9 and grew up during the time when the city was booming and rich with cultural diversity. During the Depression Verna left school at the age of 15 to help support her family. She gained employment as a nanny, helped at the family farm and worked at Yellowstone National Park. Some of her fondest memories were of ice skating and attending formal dances in Butte at Columbia Gardens where she met her husband, Dominick. They married in 1941, lived briefly near Mount Hood and Portland, Ore., and eventually settled in Fremont, Calif. Verna received a master s degree in education and taught second grade for many years. She and Dom retired in the Bitteroot Valley in 1980 and eventually moved to Whitefish in 1993. Verna and Dom adopted their two children, Christopher and Michael, and dedicated their lives to raising them. They were rich with love and support for anyone in need and opened their homes to countless family members and friends. Verna was preceded in death by her loving husband, Dom; sister, Katherine; and brother, Waino. She is survived by her sons, Chris and Michael Ruffatto; and daughter-in-law, Susie Ruffatto; grandchildren, Ben, Kelly and Brian Ruffatto; her brother, Wally Koski, and wife, Elsa; and nephew, Ray. Verna touched many lives and will sincerely be missed by countless, loving relatives and friends. We are honored to have loved and been loved by this very special person. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Whitefish; a reception will follow at the church s Parish Life Center. Arrangements are under the care of Austin Funeral Home.