Ruth Eva Baumgartner

Ruth Eva Baumgartner, a resident of Quincy since 1977, died on Saturday, the 26th of May at Columbia Basin Hospital. She had a peaceful ending of her life here on earth and is living with the Lord now.

The youngest of six children, Ruth was born in 1928 in Tapiau, Germany to Friederich and Anna Marie Hagelstein. She attended Elementary School in Königsberg, Germany until 1943 when she was assigned her 'duty year' of obligation to the government, working in the Post Office.

Ruth followed the path of her sister, Erika, and came to America in November of 1953, living with her sister in Yakima. Ruth proudly became a naturalized citizen of the U.S. on December 16, 1959.

The happiest time in Ruth's life began at a dance in Yakima where she met Karl Baumgartner who she married in 1956. Ruth and Karl first made their home on a small farm in Prosser and then in Whitstran. Ruth worked as a hospital aide in Prosser and then as a waitress at the Safari Restaurant in Sunnyside. She had a strong work ethic and became the 'right hand' for Karl on the farm. Karl's death came just 11 days shy of their 50th wedding anniversary.

With the move to a larger farm in Quincy in 1977, Ruth continued to work the farm alongside Karl. She also was employed to provide home care for several years.

She took great pride in her gardening as well, tending to a beautiful rose garden. Another love of Ruth was bowling which she and Karl enjoyed for many years. They bowled on several leagues in the area and traveled to many tournaments, capturing more than her share of trophies.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters: Erika, Eva, Friedel, Lotte and brother, Kurt as well as her husband, Karl Baumgartner.

Surviving relatives in Germany include nieces Roselies Oberberger and Heidi Hecker, (both daughters of Eva) and Susanne Palutzki (daughter of Lotte), plus many great nieces and nephews.

Surviving relatives in U.S. are step-daughter, Karla Contreras, (Rudy) of Little Rock, WA; step-son, Chris Baumgartner (Kaye) of Quincy; daughter, Erika Fish (Jim) of Soap Lake; 8 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren, as well as nieces and nephews in the Wenatchee area.

A celebration of Ruth's life will be Saturday, June 9th, 11:00 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Quincy where Ruth attended prior to her hospitalization.

In Ruth's memory, family and friends can join in a bowling party at Lake Bowl, 2:00 p.m. on the 9th.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Quincy Food Bank.

Please leave a memory for the family or sign their online guestbook at www.scharbachs.com

Scharbach's Columbia Funeral Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements.

Interment will be at a later date at Grandview Cemetery.