Ruth Lenore Hall

Ruth Lenore Hall was the middle child and only daughter born to Minnie Violet and Clarence (Bill) Robert Stewart.  Her place of birth was McCall, Idaho.  She spent most of her childhood in Idaho.  During world War 2, the family moved to Portland, Oregon where her mother worked as a finishing welder in the naval shipyard.  Mom had fond memories of living there.

Mom married Merle Ralph Hall in McCall at the ripe old age of 16.  Back in the day it was usual for daughters to marry around 16-18.  Over 18 and not married you were considered on the path to being an old maid!  Merle was the captain of just about every sport in high school and Mom was very athletic herself.  She was the only girl on the boy’s baseball team and a valued player.  She wasn’t allowed to travel with the guys but they always brought her back a memento.

She had five children in the space of 8 years:  Cristine, Robert, Marie, Ida, and Julia.

In 1964, Ruth and Merle separated and she had to find a way to support herself and her children.  First up was to get her General Education degree and she enrolled in a correspondence art class.  She decided that support using her art was not practical.  So, she enrolled at Shaw’s Business College.  She graduated and began doing temp work.  An early assignment to the Auditor’s office was the turning point for her.  Wella Hansen hired her after the temp position was done.  She worked in the Auditor’s office for over 25 years as a Deputy Auditor under three Auditors.

Mom loved to work with wood and has refinished many pieces of furniture.  She loved to read and she would sit next to the heater with her cup of coffee and a book for hours.  While residing in Idaho she loved to camp and fish, this is where she learned to love the outdoors.  She spent many hours out in her yard and flower beds.  She adored dogs.  Most of all, she loved her family and friends.  Spending time with them was most meaningful to her.

She was predeceased by her parents, brothers Robert Rowland and James Marion Stewart, her son Robert Murry hall and daughter Ida Louise Vanderhyde.  She is survived by her children:  Cristine Hall, Marie (Mike) Gollen and Julia (Ken) Pollock; her grandchildren Alan (Katherine) Gollen and their daughters Samantha and Gabrielle, Bryce Hall, Katie (Dana) Hansen and their children Emmerson (Emma) and Julian, Mary Gollen and her son Tayten, Lisa and Scott Pollock, JaNae (Camron) and Brandon Vanderhyde and her life-long best friend and first cousin JoAnn Donica.  Mom has numerous relatives and friends who will miss her loyalty, love, thoughtfulness, and humor.

A memorial service will be held Friday, October 23, 2015, 1:00 PM at Christ the King Community Church in Ferndale, 5627 3rd Ave., with Pastor Ralph Poulson officiating. Private family inurnment was held at Enterprise Cemetery in Ferndale.