Ruth passed away on August 30, 2012. She was born March 10, 1920 to Nels and Ella Kunutson in Cass Lake, Minnesota. They lived in many places finally making Bothell, WA their home. In high school she met Arthur Boudreau who also drove her school bus. After she graduated they eloped on November 3, 1938 against both parents wishes.
Their first daughter, Arlene, was born in Seattle, WA in January of 1940. In 1942, during WWII, Art packed up his family and went to Dutch Harbor, Alaska to feed and build housing for the military base and their families. Ruth worked at the Commercial Boarding house cooking and cleaning. IN 1943, all women and children were evacuated because the Japanese were attacking Dutch Harbor. It was two and half months before Ruth would see the love of her life. Later hearing how they bombed the ship Art was living on.
After Art came home, he started a flooring business in Seattle, WA. Over the years, they were blessed with a son Donald (Don), daughters Judi and Linda and another son Richard (Dick). Ruth enjoyed raising the family while Art focused on building several businesses in the Seattle and Kenmore, WA areas. They lived in the Seattle area finally deciding to move the family to the country so they returned to Bothell, WA in 1952. Ruth lost her high school sweetheart in November 1967 after an 11-year battle with cancer and her very much-loved son Dick passed away in 1974. She was very involved with the church and her faith helped her deal with these losses.
In 1968, she met and married Seth (Clay) Henton whom she met at the Philadelphia church. Ruth and Clay made their home around the Bothell, Marysville area for many years finally moving to Cashmere, WA buying a pear orchard. Ruth was able to realize a dream she had always had and opened her home to young boys who needed love and a good home. Many boys returned in their adult life to express their thanks for the gift of her home and how she had influenced their lives.
Ruth moved to Wenatchee, WA and became involved in the orchestra realizing another of her passions, which was playing the violin. She had many friends in the area and would sew for the church, which provided clothes for families in need.
The family was really excited when Mom decided it was time to move back to this side of the mountains to be close to all of the family. We were blessed with many hours of family get together’s, going for her favorite Pralines and Cream ice cream and playing Scrabble which she always beat the pants off her opponent.
Ruth will be greatly missed by her family and friends and all of the lives she touched. She is survived by her daughters Arlene Odom (Dwight), Judi Burlingame (Jim), Linda Boudreau (Larry) and son Don Boudreau (Leanne). Many grandchildren, great grandchildren and nieces & nephews will carry her love and memories forever.
Mom, no time on earth is long enough to share with those we love or to prepare our hearts for goodbye. We miss you but appreciate all that you were to all of us. Ruth was buried at Abby View Cemetery along side her husband Art and son Dick. As per her request there were no services.