Esther Alma Ruff

Esther Alma Ruff passed away peacefully in her sleep on Feb. 16, 2009.

Esther was born Sept. 29, 1925, to Pauline and John Ruff on her parents’ farm near Ruff, Wash., where she learned many “pioneer” skills such as how to make soap, preserve meat (necessary because there was no refrigeration) and make sauerkraut. She learned to cook by making meals for the large crews required when crops were harvested using horses. Esther’s first language was German and she attended German language catechism classes in Lind, Wash., and was a longtime member of the German Congregational Church in Ruff.

Esther moved to Tacoma, Wash., in 1948 and became a cook at Tacoma Public Schools, YMCA Camp Seymour and University of Puget Sound, retiring in the early 1990s. In Tacoma, she was the first female trustee of the Portland Ave Baptist Church and president of the Germans from Russia Club.  Over the years, she served as a foster mother and hosted many international students in her home. In 1991, she received the Community Service Award from the Pierce County Health Department for her role in establishing the Eastside Health Clinic, a complete dental and medical clinic for low income people. The clinic is just finishing construction of its new $11 million facility which will include the first full dental clinic in that zip code.

Esther is survived by her twin sons Dennis, of Tacoma, and Donald (Betsy), of Portland, Ore.; her grandchildren Jonathan and Mary Pauline; brothers Robert Ruff, Rueben Ruff (Darlene) and Edwin Ruff (Jean) of Moses Lake and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express its gratitude to Franciscan Hospice and Heartwood Extended Care, Tacoma, Wash., for their kindness, consideration and care. Donations in Esther’s name can be made to the Esther Ruff Memorial fund, Community Health Care, 101 E. 26th, Tacoma, WA 98421.  A graveside service was held at in Tacoma, Wash. A reception in her honor for family and friends will be held April 25, 2009, at the Huck Fuller Building at the Grant County Fairgrounds, Moses Lake, at 1 p.m.