Ruth Ione (Strong) Ross, 89

Ruth Ione (Strong) Ross, 89, passed away, Friday, Nov. 26, 2004, in Sandpoint, Idaho.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 30, 2005, at the First Presbyterian Church in Sandpoint with the Rev. Dr. Nancy Copeland-Payton officiating.

Ruth was born on Dec. 25, 1914, on her parents' homestead near Floweree, Chouteau County, Mont., the daughter of Fred and Emma Ruth (Viney) Strong.

She attended schools in Floweree and Cut Bank, Mont., where she graduated from high school in 1931. She then attended Northwest Bible Training School in Seattle, Wash., graduating in 1934. She worked as a receptionist/switch board operator at the Deaconess Hospital in Great Falls, Mont.

Ruth married Joe Catron Ross on June 30, 1940, in Forgan, Okla., in a double wedding ceremony, with her sister Eleanor Jane Strong and William Paul Delamarter. She is a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Sandpoint, where she served in many different positions within the church. She enjoyed reading, hand work, and gardening.

Ruth is survived by her three daughters, Diane (Donald) Lynch of Sandpoint, Karyn Ross of Germantown, Md., and Elayna (Todd) Nelson of Amboy, Wash.; a son, Stephen Ross of Amboy; an adopted daughter, Susan Meadows of Germantown, Md.; a daughter-in-law, Joy Sinclair of Sandpoint; six grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and a great-great grandchild; a sister, Eleanor Delamarter of Canby, Ore.; and a brother, Ralph (Ann) Strong of Tempe, Ariz.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe C. Ross; a daughter, Doreen Anderson; a son, David Ross; and two sisters, Lois Horsell and Helen Strong.

Memorial donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 417 N. Fourth Ave, Sandpoint, ID 83864.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements.

Please visit Ruth's memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign her online guest book.