Ruth D. Andreas, 95

Ruth D. Andreas, 95, passed away, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008, in Sandpoint.

Memorial services will be held in the spring at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colo.

Ruth was born in Elizabeth, N.J. on Dec. 30, 1912, to Oscar and Emma Brueckner. While growing up, she worked with her father in a small neighborhood grocery store on Schiller Street and after high school worked in a local bakery.

When World War II began, Ruth wanted to serve her country and enlisted in the U.S. Army WAC. While serving at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., she met her husband, Eugene, and they were married at the close of the war in 1946.

Ruth and Eugene lived for nearly 30 years in Silver Spring, Md., where they raised their daughter, Ruthie. During this time, Ruth was primarily a housewife and later a bookkeeper in a department store. She and her husband moved to Colorado in 1975 and in 1983, after the death of Eugene, Ruth moved to Sandpoint to be near her daughter and grandchildren.

She served for more than 10 years in the Bonner General Hospital Auxiliary, where she volunteered her time to help others. In 1998, she moved into Huckleberry Retirement Home, where she enjoyed the sunset years of her life.

She was a loving mother who delighted in being with her family, especially her grandchildren. She had a gentle heart, a wonderful sense of humor and was a dear friend who will be deeply missed.

Ruth is survived by her daughter, Ruth (and Jim) Watkins of Hope, Idaho; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Eugene, and six brothers and sisters.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling arrangements. Visit Ruth's memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign her online guest book.