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Ruth was born in 1918. She is the daughter of Charles L. Olson (1890-1972) and Bertha Chloe (Edwards) Olson (1898-1979). She married Harry Skeel.[1] She died in 2007.[2]
Former central Montana resident Ruth (Olson) Skeel, 85, of Missoula, who was an active vol-unteer in her community, died of natural causes Thursday in Missoula. Sunset Funeral Home of Missoula handled memorial arrangements. She is survived by daughters Phyllis Waldenberg of Seattle and Sharon (Bob) Bailey of Houston; sons Hal (Loreene) Skeel of Missoula and Tim Skeel (Julie Nelson) of Seattle; 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Ruth Skeel died unexpectedly on June 7, 2007, in Missoula. She lived her 85 long years of life to the fullest. She had a very loving and caring nature, and she was devoted to her husband of 51 years and her four children, her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren. Ruth was blessed with an idyllic childhood, growing up on a farm in central Montana near Lewistown and Moore. She was surrounded by loving parents, aunts and uncles and dozens of cousins. She remembers large family gatherings where there were as many as six roasted turkeys served at one meal. She fell in love with Harry Skeel from Judith Gap after graduating from Moore High School, and while she was working at the Fergus County Courthouse in Lewistown. They started a family while Harry was in training for flight school during World War II. When the war was over, he went to work as a young man with Goggans and Penney, and ultimately as owner of Enterprise Electric, a successful electrical contracting firm. Ruth worked as a legal secretary for Dirk Larsen, attorney, and then for Great Falls Credit Associates. Her career spanned almost 25 years before retiring. In 1978, Ruth and Harry moved to Missoula to be closer to their son, Hal, and his family. After Harry's death in 1992, she continued living in their home until 2002 when she moved into the Missoula Manor Retirement Home. She volunteered at the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the Boys and Girls Home and St. Patrick's Hospital. She was very active at the Missoula Manor as a member of the Resident's Board and making chapel arrangements. Ruth was an avid card and game player, playing several times a week with her friends for many years. She was known for her sharp mind, her long memory for details and history. She could tell stories she remembered as far back as 3 years old. None of her children inherited this ability and none of them know how they will get along without calling "Mom" to ask about this and that. Her sunny, upbeat nature will be missed by all whose lives she touched. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Missoula Manor Endowment Fund, 909 West Central, Missoula, MT 59802.
Ruth was cremated.[3]
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Ruth is 23 degrees from Zendaya Coleman, 29 degrees from Sting Sumner, 19 degrees from Josh Brolin, 23 degrees from Timothée Chalamet, 21 degrees from José Ferrer, 16 degrees from Frank Herbert, 15 degrees from Richard Jordan, 20 degrees from David Lynch, 17 degrees from Virginia Madsen, 22 degrees from Charlotte Rampling, 31 degrees from Patrick Stewart and 22 degrees from Denis Villeneuve on our single family tree. Login to find your connection.