Obituary: Slagle, Ruth Walden

SLAGLE, Ruth Walden
December 18, 1918— April 11, 2013

Ruth Lenore Still was born on December 18, 1918 to Edgar and Pearl Still in Casper, Wyoming where her father worked in the oil fields.

Ruth was one of 10 children.

The family moved to Selah, Washington near Yakima when she was about ten years old.

After Ruth’s father died, Ruth, her younger brother Francis, and her mother moved to Aeneas Valley west of Republic where Ruth’s older brothers were working in a lumber camp.
In 1935, Ruth moved to Republic with her older brother Gene and his wife Olive so Ruth could attend high school.

Ruth left Republic for two semesters when she went to Boise to live with her older sister, Nellie Jamison and husband Art.

Ruth returned to Republic for her last semester and graduated from Republic High School in 1938.
Ruth married Hank Walden in 1939.

They had two children: Linda and John.

In 1955, Ruth went to work as the only employee at the Republic Drug Store owned by Maurice and Dick Slagle.

Ruth worked there for over 30 years.

Her husband Hank was the first manager of the Curlew Lake State Park.

When Hank retired after 20 years at the State Park, Ruth retired from the Drug Store so they could travel to the Southwest in their motor home during the winters.

They celebrated their 50th anniversary in 1989.

Hank passed away in 1997.
Ruth lovingly tended the flower beds at their home in town and also enjoyed their lake home on Curlew Lake.

She had a natural ability for arranging flowers and other displays.

She always had a deep love of family, was skilled with sewing and needlework, and looked forward to playing pinochle with friends from the community and with family.
Ruth was a long-time member of the Presbyterian Church; she belonged to Golden Age, Rebecca’s, Friends of the Library, and Club 13; and she was also President of the Republic Alumni Scholarship Fund.
On May 16, 1998, Ruth married Dick Slagle.

They enjoyed their years together and were to have celebrated their 15th anniversary this year.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters: Nellie and Maud; her brothers: Cloyed, Harvey, Eugene, Ernie, Jasper, Robert and Francis; her husband Henry Walden; and her granddaughter Lauri Rice.

She is survived by her husband Dick Slagle; her daughter Linda Rice and husband Larry Rice, her grandson Lance Rice, and her great-grandson Cody Spencer; her son John Walden and wife Sarah Walden, and her grandsons Isaac Walden (Geneva) and Luke Walden (Jennifer); her step-son Jack Slagle (Roo); her step-daughter Jean Delaney (Ed); and granddaughters Teka, Gwen, and Ann.
Ruth died peacefully on April 11, 2013 at Ferry County Memorial Hospital at age 94.

A private graveside service will be held at a later time.

Memorial suggestions are: Republic Alumni Scholarship Fund, Hospice of Spokane, or Republic Cemetery Association.

BERGH FUNERAL SERVICE OF REPUBLIC IN CARE OF ARRANGEMENTS