Ruth N. Hammerstad Thompson

She was born June 21, 1918 in Yakima, Washington to Hokon and Irma Hammerstad. She lived with family at congdon Orchards where her parents worked. Her parents later purchased an apple orchard in the Selah Heights area where she grew up with three brothers and one sister. Ruth graduated from Selah High School in 1936 with honors, where she met Willard Thompson and they were married in 1939.

Ruth worked at Matson Warehouse in Selah labeling apple boxes. In Yakima she worked for Wray Brown as a meat wrapper and later for Bob Bilue Meats until her retirement. After retirement she became so bored she went to work at Joseph Warehouse for several years.

Ruth was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary and the Broadway Grange. Her fondest memories when she was young were dancing with her father, her Norwegian dinners on holidays and the Sons of Norway.

She loved her family and friends, her special niece, Joyce Johnson who met with her once a week for lunch. Her very special friends, Hank and June Pletcher, and Toby and Gloria Maddox, for their love and friendship and Jim and Rikki Pomerenke and her neighbors who loved her so much and did so many “honey dos” for her.

She is survived by her three grandchildren all of the Seattle area, Ron (Lori) Otis, Frank (Holly) Ortiz and Lori Ready (Mark Mosher); four great grandchildren and one great great granddaughter; and her daughter, care giver and constant companion, Sharon Otis of Naches. Preceding her in death was her beloved son, Ron Thompson in 1958, her husband, Willard Thompson in 1998 and her three brothers, Lloyd, Fred and Chuck Hammerstad, one sister, Margaret and her parents.

Among her hobbies were camping, fishing and spending time at the cabin with their friends and family. Ruth will always be remembered for being outspoken and never meeting a stranger.

Special thanks to the Memorial Hospital nurses, Memorial Hospice and all the care given by everyone at Living Care. Mom for years has only wanted to be with her loving son Ron and the rest of her Heavenly family and now they have joined together. She has always said “don’t you shed a tear just have a beer”.

Visitation will be held at the Keith & Keith Ninth Avenue Chapel on Thursday, January 5, 2012 from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the Keith & Keith Terrace Heights Chapel on Friday, January 6, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. Concluding services and burial will follow at Terrace Heights Memorial Park. To share a memory of Ruth visit www.keithandkeith.com.