Ruth Olive (Bickel) Gibson, 89

Ruth Olive (Bickel) Gibson, 89, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2004, in Sandpoint, Idaho.

Memorial services will be held at a later date.

Ruth was born on Aug. 19, 1915, in Shamokin, Penn., the daughter of Samuel and Ida Mae (Brown) Bickel, one of six children, four brothers and one sister, all of whom were raised on the family farm in York, Pa.

Ruth went to school in York County, Pa. Then, as a young person, worked as an advertising manager for the New Jersey Herald in Newton, N.J., and for the Oregonian newspaper in Portland, Ore.

In 1937, Ruth married Elmer Vincent Lowrey of New Holland, Pa., and they had one child, Sandra. Ruth later moved to Lake Mohawk, N.J., where she learned to play bridge and had many, many friends.

In 1956, Ruth moved to San Diego, Calif., and lived in her "beloved California" for many, many years. Ruth went back to school at the age of 62, getting her GED and became a certificate early childhood education teacher, stating "it's never too late" to learn new things.

Ruth loved children, music, flowers, dancing, reading and a good argument. In retirement, Ruth came to live in Sandpoint to be near her daughter, Sandy, and her granddaughter, Annie of Hayden Lake. She enjoyed "quality time" with all of her grandchildren.

At the time of her death, Ruth was a widow. Ruth is survived by her daughter, Sandy Stevens of Sandpoint; a granddaughter, Annie (Ryan) Quimby of Hayden Lake, Idaho; a grandson, Robert A. (Virginie) Bevacqua of Mission Viejo, Calif.; great-granddaughters, Jenny Collins of Knox, Ind., Katie and Kelsey Kinkle of Hayden Lake; Sydney Quimby of Hayden Lake; Kylie Bevacqua of Mission Viejo; and great-grandsons, Steve Collins of Knox, and Robert J. Bevacqua of Mission Viejo. Ruth also leaves four great-great-grandchildren in Indiana, Michael Collins, Matthew Collins, Mikey Fagan and Sherry Fagan; and a brother, George Bickel of Dallas, Texas; a sister, Marjorie Bodkin of Mesa, Ariz.; and numerous nieces and nephews, including one in particular, Ron Bodkin of Ontario, Canada; and special friend, Jerry Roe.

Ruth was preceded in death by her mother and father, Samuel and Ida Mae Bickel; and a granddaughter, Sherry Lynn Collins.

Memorial donations may be made in Ruth's honor to the Alzheimer's Association, in care of Evalyn McIntire, 618 Oak St., Sandpoint, Idaho, 83864.

Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service of Sandpoint.