Ruth Lorene Milton

Ruth was born in Tacoma, Washington on January 26, 1918 to Michael “The Greek” and Tena (Amundsen) Drosethes. Five months later Tena died in the Influenza Epidemic. Ruth and her sister then went to live with several other families. Michael then married Ester Nelson who was a great step mother and insisted on Ruth and her sister being referred to as her daughters. A great granddaughter recalled “Bestemor” telling her of walking home from school to wash her dress, for the next day, since it was the only dress she had to wear at that time, because of the depression. She also told of putting cardboard in her shoes when they wore thru the soles.

Ruth graduated in 1935 from Stadium High School in Tacoma. She wanted to be a nurse but could not afford college. She attended the Salvation Army School for Officer Training, in San Francisco. She told of going to Alcatraz Island prison to minister to the inmates. She graduated in 1937 and served as a Captain for six years. Her first appointment from Training College was to Seattle, Swedish Corps (Ballard), since she was fluent in Swedish. It was there that Sanfrid, a Swedish immigrant, came to check out the new Captain and met Ruth. She later served in Anacortes, Wenatchee, Hoquiam, Washington, San Francisco, California Headquarters and Portland, Oregon “Girls” Home.

On June 5, 1943 she married Sanfrid J Milton. They made their home in Seattle where two sons were born, James and Alfred. In 1948 the family moved to Yakima where they later bought an orchard on Church Road. In 1951 Ruth accepted a position as administrative secretary at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital from which she retired in 1983. She lived independently at home until moving to Sun Tower Apartments where she made many new friends. On January 26, 2017 she celebrated her 99th birthday and the following Sunday she celebrated with church family and later dinner with family.

Ruth was active in her church, Wiley Heights Covenant Church, teaching Sunday school for many years, including a class in the furnace room of the “old” church. Her favorite verses from the Bible were: Psalms 16:6, The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; surely I have a goodly heritage, and Psalms 19:14, Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, Oh Lord my strength and my Redeemer.

Ruth enjoyed her family and many good friends. She loved and prayed for her sons, grandkids and great grandkids and was a great example of a life of faith. She loved reading, music, crossword, bingo and TV quiz games. She traveled locally, and made several trips to Alaska, Sweden and Norway. She was a member of Sons of Norway where she attended monthly meetings, with her son, and enjoyed the last “Lutefisk” dinner in November.

The “Swedish” relatives (Ostbergs, Johnsons and Miltons) started meeting for Christmas Eve in 1920, the year Sanfrid came to the USA. They met together in the Ostberg barn, still standing on Carlson Road, since their house was not yet built. The “family” had the ongoing tradition of meeting together every Christmas Eve (for 95 years) until this past Christmas!

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, older sister Eileen, brother Harold and sister Ruby. Also by her husband Sanfrid in 1995 and son Alfred in 2003. She is survived by son James (Marilyn), six grandchildren, Michael, Stephen (Anya), Erik (Johanna), Bradley (Beth), Lisa (Phil), and Karl (Danielle), seven great grandchildren and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Friday, February 24, 2017 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. A Graveside Service will be held Saturday, February 25, 2017 at 8:30 a.m. at Terrace Heights Memorial Park followed by a Memorial Service at 11:00 a.m. at Wiley Heights Covenant Church, 12504 Gilbert Rd., Yakima.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wiley Heights Covenant Church, the Salvation Army or donor’s choice in care of Keith and Keith Funeral Home.

To share a memory of Ruth, please visit www.keithandkeith.com.