September 15, 1922 - August 03, 2014
Ruth Shirk Obituary Our mother Ruth Helene was born on Oak Street in Red Wing, Minnesota on September 15, 1922 to Norwegian descendants Julius and Alpha (Sunde) Lokkesmoe. She was strong and beautiful like an oak in our family. Perhaps being sandwiched between two mischievous brothers, Marvin (deceased) and Robert (now in CA), fortified her! In a first grade play she dressed the part of a nurse and determined to one day be that person. She did�completing her RN training at Swedish Hospital in Minneapolis in 1945. Her forty year nursing career carried her primarily to Deaconess Hospital in Spokane, WA and Newport Community Hospital in Newport, WA. Ruth met Charles Shirk in 1949 at Simpson Bible College in Seattle. As college dean he traveled with her vocal trio on a multi-state summer music and speaking tour. They were married August 27, 1950 in Berkeley, CA. A belated honeymoon found them packing in on horseback for a fall deer hunt in the mountains of southern Idaho. Camping adventures continued throughout their lives. Ruth and Chuck had two children�Carol (1952), wife of Terry Knapp, and David (1955), husband of Carol Schaar. We were given a secure and loving childhood growing up in a Presbyterian pastor�s household in Spokane�and then from 1967 in the Congregational church �parsonage� in Priest River, Idaho. After our dad died in 1978 mom�s role as beloved family matriarch increased to grandmother of seven (Carol�s Tamara, Philip, Kelly, Brenda and David�s Timothy, Lisa, Carissa) and great-grandmother of eighteen�the newest baby girl born six weeks before her passing. Mom�s heartfelt prayers for our family remain solid ground beneath us. Ruth�s interest in sports began in the 1930s listening to �the Fights� and University of Minnesota Gophers football on radio. She even penciled her own �field� on paper and �moved� the football up and down the page. Mom followed most sports, particularly golf which she played and Seattle�s Seahawks and Mariners teams. She always kept a book close by�especially her Bible�and once said had she not become a nurse she might have been a librarian. Ruth loved to golf, take walks, volunteer at God�s Provision Thrift Shop, attend TOPS in Newport, participate in Joy in the Morning gatherings, and play piano for Living Hope Free Methodist Church. Though she slowed with age, mom�s steady encouraging spirit always ran on ahead. From her early years Ruth answered the invitation to know God through His Son. Her unwavering faith inspired family and friends. She was a wise mentor for many. Near her death August 3, 2014 in Newport Hospital she woke asking, �What am I doing still here?� She was eager to meet Jesus face to face and gain eternal life. We hold the hope of once again hearing mom�s pure soprano raised in song. Memorial service arrangements are tentatively planned for mid-September. Details to follow. We look forward to celebrating with you the life of our wonderful mother Ruth! � To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Ruth, please visit our Tree Store. Read more Events AUG 3
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