Published in the Enterprise December 8, 2017

Ruth Irene Hansen was born May 12, 1922, to Hans and Annie Hansen in Blair. She joined her older brother Clifford on the family farm where they were taught the value of hard work and a loving family. She attended Dana College, where she met Paul Peterson from Falmouth, Maine, a recent graduate and now coach at the school. They were married October 3, 1942, on a rare Saturday without a football game. But their honeymoon only lasted one night so that Paul could be back at football practice on Monday morning.! They lived in the boy’s dorm at Dana for the next eight years while they added Brian and then Brent to their family. When their daughter Beth came along, the family moved to a house, taking in several of the student athletes as borders. Their family schedule has heavily influenced by the sports schedule of the season, with Ruth spending many hours on the bleachers cheering and supporting Paul’s team, and later Brian and Brent’s athletic teams.

Her faith was a constant in her life, with First Lutheran in Blair being the location of Ruth’s baptism, confirmation, marriage.

Ruth returned to teaching in 1958, first in one-room school houses, in rural Washington County and later at Blair Elementary Schools. She continued transforming kids’ lives until 1985 when she retired, and they moved to Portland, Oregon. They quickly made friends at Resurrection Lutheran Church and became very involved in their grandchildren’s lives. Ruth had many skills and hobbies including baking the best treats, crocheting, knitting, and gardening, and she pursued these with a passion in retirement.

Ruth remained in her home, independent and strong until August of this year at which time she moved to Pine Tree Adult Care Home for extra support and care, who the family thanks for loving care they provided. Ruth died November 23, 2017, on Thanksgiving morning. We give thanks for her long life, well lived.

Ruth is survived by her loyal son, Brent and wife Paige, her loving daughter, Beth Papasadero and her husband Garry. Ruth’s beloved grandchildren are Aaron and wife Amy, Brock and wife Alisa, Christopher and wife Julie, Sarah White, Tony, and Katherine.

Ruth great-grandchildren are Presley, Max and Sadie Pritchard-Peterson, Asher and Aeryn Peterson, Nora Papasadero, Benjamin White and Margaret White.

Memorial can be sent to Resurrection Lutheran Church.

Memorial services was held Dec. 1, 2017 at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Portland.

Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clipping on file at the Blair Public Library.