Florence Ruth Harper's Obituary
Age 91, died November 11, 2005, in her home with family in Tacoma, WA.Preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Estelle Davis Rieper, brother Edmond and Wayne, and husband Ross in 1973. Survived by her children Kenneth Ross (Glenda) and Janet Ruth, grandchildren Rebecca L. (Daniel) Tawyea, Kenneth R. (Deborah) Harper and Leslie S. Hoffman; four great-grandchildren, one great-great-granddaughter, and brother Clarence A. (Nancy) Rieper, all of Tacoma. Also, many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.Ruth was born April 12, 1914, at North Port, WA and lived on a homestead located on Cedar Creek, at Boundary, WA. After graduating from the North Port High School, as valedictorian, in 1932, she then graduated from the Kinman Business College, in Spokane, with honors.While working at the employment office in Colville, she met Ross Harper, the Superintendent of the State Game Farm and Fish Hatchery. They married in 1937, and children Kenneth and Janet were born. In 1947 they moved to the State Game Farm in Lakewood.In the early  60Â's she performed personal care companionship for several older ladies at the Hill Haven Nursing Home and eventually became the bookkeeper there. In 1968 she started working at Western State Hospital in medical records and then in time keeping. When she retired in 1979, she knew the names of over a thousand employees.For over 60 years, she was the Pacific NorthwestÂ's leading producer of Irish Setters, the red hunting dogs. Her goal was always to continuously improve the quality of each litter.Loving her family, and growing and raising anything gave her such joy and satisfaction. Puppies, gardening, cooking, sewing and canning were performed to a certain perfection.She had been loved and respected as only a very dear Mother and Lady can be loved for her intelligence, sincere caring and honest giving of herself.You can shed tears that she is gone, or you can smile because she lived. You can close your eyes and hope that sheÂ'll come back, or you can open your eyes and see all sheÂ's left.Viewing will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, November 21st at Mountain View Funeral Home. Family graveside services will be November 22nd at Sunset Lane Memorial Park Cemetery in Port Orchard. A Celebration of her Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 26th in the Mountain View Celebration of Life Center.In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to Group Health Community Foundation, 1730 Minor Ave, Suite 1500, Seattle, WA 98101.
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