Ruth Frances Ostroot, 96

Ruth Frances Ostroot, 96, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell, one day before her 97th birthday.

Ruth was born Feb. 25, 1914, to Byron and Katherine Farley in a logging camp at Palmer Junction, Ore. The family moved to Idaho when she was a child. She grew up in logging camps near Idaho City and in Boise and graduated from Boise High School. She learned to play the piano as a child, and enjoyed that throughout her life.

She attended the University of Idaho where she was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from U of I in 1936.

While in college, she met Norval Ostroot on a blind date. They were married in 1937 and they lived in Eagle, Idaho, for 37 years, where they were active in community and school affairs and helped start the library district. She was an English teacher at Eagle High School for a few years. After raising her family, she worked at the Eagle Post Office for 21 years.

They moved to Bigfork in 1974, where they continued to be community-minded. They joined Bethany Lutheran Church. Over the years, Ruth sang in Bethany’s choir, served on the church council and was active in the women’s group.

They joined Bigfork Senior Center and volunteered at the Bigfork Library. Ruth was a member of the Rebekah Lodge in Eagle and in Bigfork. She was a member of TOPS in Bigfork, where she maintained KOPS status for more than 20 years. She volunteered for the Council on Aging and led senior exercise classes in Bigfork for several years.

Ruth moved to Buffalo Hill Terrace in Kalispell in 2008. She became the librarian there and participated in the prayer shawl ministry. She was an avid reader and enjoyed working crossword puzzles and other word games. She was a delightful and generous person and well-liked by everyone who met her.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Byron and Katherine; husband, Norval; and her brother, Wayne Farley. 

She is survived by her children, Dennis Ostroot and wife, Beverly, of Bigfork, Corinne McKean and husband, Thomas, of Lewiston, Idaho, and Nancy Moss and husband, Gary, of St. Maries, Idaho; grandsons, Johann Ostroot and wife, Jocelyn, of Santa Clarita, Calif., and Justin Moss and wife, Vanessa Steinroetter, of Lincoln, Neb.; and great-grandsons, Calen Ostroot and Cameron Ostroot.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 1, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Bigfork, the Rev. Christopher Miller officiating. Burial will follow at Bethany Cemetery in Bigfork.

Condolences may be sent to the family at P.O. Box 214, Bigfork, MT 59911.

Memorial contributions may be made in Ruth’s name to Bethany Lutheran Church, 8559 Montana 35, Bigfork, MT 59911.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Ruth’s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Ruth’s tribute wall.