Ruth Julian, 86

Ruth Ellen (Staab) Julian, 86, of Martin City, Montana, passed away peacefully on May 17, 2023, surrounded by family. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband Don, daughter Marcia, sister Faye and sisters-in-law Phyllis and Omae.

On May 16, 1937, Ruth was born to Laurence and Dorothy Staab in Kalispell. She grew up in the Kalispell area. She played piano, sang in choir and was a Girl Scout while attending Flathead County High School where she was on the honor roll. During the Cold War in the mid-1950s, Ruth and her sister Faye served as civilian plane spotters for the Ground Observation Corps and were trained to spot and identify enemy aircraft. In 1954 they were awarded wings for serving the required number of hours as observers.

She married Donald Julian in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and they made their first home in Kalispell. She was active in the Eagles Auxiliary. Don moved to Mill Valley for work, with Ruth following afterward by train with Linda and Marcia in tow and being pregnant with Barbara. Ruth was a loving wife and resourceful mother to their six wonderful children, Linda, Marcia, Barbara, Don Jr., Alan and Wayne.

As a creative artist, Ruth had many hobbies. She was quite the seamstress, she also crocheted and knitted. Using small pebbles, she created several works of art. She learned lapidary and created jewelry from rocks they found while traveling as “rockhounds.” She excelled at gardening, with flowers and a vegetable garden every summer. She loved camping in the great outdoors, traveling all over Northern California. They made many trips to Mexico. In later years she and Don became snowbirds, making the annual trek to Arizona to escape the winter.

Volunteer work and helping in children's events was something that she did throughout her life. After relocating back to Montana, the Martin City Volunteer Fire Department welcomed her into the Ladies Auxiliary. She especially loved family reunions that she hosted at her home.

Ruth is survived by five of her children: Linda Rutherford (Robert), Barbara Julian-West (Scott), Donald Jr. (Debbie), Alan (Patty), and Wayne (Judy). She is survived by her brother Roger Staab, sister Margaret Hubber; and sister-in-law Ellen Hart. Her grandchildren include Sondra Ameperosa, Marilyn Muldoon, Ricki Vanderslice, James Muldoon, Matthew West, Teresa Singer, and Hannah McMahon. Her step-grandchildren include Jenny Ray, Danny Ray, Eddie Ray, T.J. Ray, David Douglas, Brian Douglas, and Benton Housand. She is also survived by 22 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren; as well as several cousins and many nieces and nephews.

Special thanks to Logan Health Healthcare providers for taking such good care of mom; Dr. Baker, Dr. Barker and Dr. Lessmeir were amazing. Mom was so happy with all the nurses, and everyone was so nice, especially Melia, Azarel and Caleb.

Inurnment will be at Glacier Memorial Cemetery. A celebration of life is planned for this summer.

In memoriam, please send any donations to the Martin City Volunteer Fire Department.