Alice Madeline (Graham) Ruark

January 21, 1915 - June 15, 2014

Alice Madeline (Graham) Ruark Obituary (Age 99) Alice passed away June 15, 2014 at Coulee Medical Center in Grand Coulee, WA after a brief illness. She was born January 21, 1915 to Richard Sommerville Naughton Graham and Charlotte Eliza Graham in Swan River, Manitoba, Canada. Alice was the fourth of six children, and was especially close to her brothers Bruce, Harold, Lloyd and Victor. She had many memories to share of times on the homestead and with the Canadian Northern Railway as they traveled with her father?s work. At the age of 13, her father died of tuberculosis and her mother Charlotte worked to support her young family. The ties Alice built with her sister and brothers lasted her lifetime as she modeled love and support to all her siblings, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Alice married Louis Edward Ruark June 8, 1934 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. With Louis, she had two children, June Arlene (Ruark) Welch and Harold Edward Ruark. During World War II, Louis enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air force and later in the US Army which brought his family to Spokane, WA. Alice was trained as a beautician and worked in her own shop until the age of 85. She had the heart of a nurse and cared for many elders through her life. She was active in the several churches including Morning Star Baptist Church in Spokane, Pacific Christian Center Church in Tacoma and Grand Coulee Church of the Nazarene. Other hobbies included sewing, cooking, gardening, and driving to visit with family. Alice is survived by her children Harold Edward Ruark and June Arlene (Ruark) Welch of Tacoma, WA; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Louis Ruark; parents; sister Joyce; brothers Bruce, Harold, Lloyd, and Victor. A Memorial Celebration of her life will be held at Morning Star Baptist Church, 3909 W. Rowan, August 9, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. Heritage Funeral Home and Strate Funeral Home assisted with her care and arrangements.