RUTH ELIZABETH OLDENBURG KIRK

Our beloved mother, Ruth Elizabeth Oldenburg Kirk, died on Monday, July 28, from natural causes.

She was born September 5, 1923 in Oak Harbor to John and Cressie Oldenburg. Her early childhood was spent on the Oldenburg family farm, which is 40 acres adjacent to Deception Pass State Park on North Whidbey Island.

She grew up with five older brothers, who all proceeded her in death. Her mother and father died when she was still a child. Following the death of her parents, she was raised by her brothers and their wives.

After graduation from Oak Harbor High School, she attended Washington State College for a year. During World War II, she worked in Seattle and married David Bettles Kirk on January 30, 1943.

They raised three children, James David Kirk of Gig Harbor, Steven George Kirk of Woodinville, and Alice Leona Kirk Anderson of Post Falls, Idaho.

Ruth was preceded in death by her beloved David, her husband of 66 years. She is survived by her children and their spouses, six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Ruth loved spending time with her family and watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She worked for the Oak Harbor School District as a school secretary for many years until her retirement in 1980. She loved to fish and travel with her husband and friends. Ruth and Dave RV’d with family and friends all over the west coast, Alaska and Canada.

She was a devoted Christian and a member of the Methodist Church in Oak Harbor and in La Conner and Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho.

A memorial service will be held at the La Conner United Methodist Church, at noon on Tuesday, August 19.

The family would like to thank the staff at Coeur d’ Alene Homes and the medical staff at Kootenia Medical Center for their care of our mother in her final days. The family suggests memorials to any Methodist Church or The Coeur d’Alene Homes, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.