Ruth L. Hoekema

Ruth Laverne Hoekema, 74 died Sunday, Jan. 23, 2011 at Huckleberry Retirement Center. Funeral services were held at Coffelt Funeral Chapel on Saturday, January 29, 2011 for the family. Dale Coffelt officiated and her final resting place is in Pinecrest Memorial Park. Ruth was born July 17, 1936 in Miami, Arizona and has lived in Bonner County since she was 3 years old. She was married to Clyde for nearly 55 years. Ruth’s career was as busy as she was. She babysat and cleaned houses. She worked at the Dairy Delight while at Sandpoint High School. She worked for the Bonner County School District at the head office and later at Farmin Stidwell. She worked at a hobby store and the liquor store and a short stint at Litehouse. Ruth loved her family above all. She had a green thumb and had glorious gardens. She was a great canner, cook, and baker. She could flip huckleberry pancakes high and far. She was an accomplished seamstress and was very crafty. She could out pick any of us in a huckleberry patch. Ruth had an open door policy and her house was always full. Some stayed a little and some stayed a lot. They were all her family and she will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Ivey and Delsie smith and her daughter Nita. She is survived by her devoted husband Clyde. She is also survived by her family Nadine and Dan, Mark and Melinda, and Larry and Stephanie. She also leaves behind her grandchildren Josh, Sarah, Bethany, Bryce, Emily and Jacob. Her great grandchildren are Adrian, Kaitlin, spring, Canyon, Scout, Tyler, Paige, and Kiah.