Ruth Eleanor Bartels' Obituary
Ruth Eleanor Bartels was born April 3, 1937, to George Mitchell Grass, Sr. and Florence Fitch Grass, in Goshen, NY. She spent her early and high school years in Montgomery, NY, along with her two brothers, George Grass Jr. and Gordon Grass. She graduated from Montgomery High School in 1954 and attended Alfred State Technical Institute.
When her family moved to Cumberland Head, NY, on beautiful Lake Champlain, Ruth worked in the classified advertising department of the Plattsburgh Press-Republican, a job she truly loved.
In 1957, Ruth married David Dewey, and after the birth of their two children, Lynn and Pam, resided on Park Row in Cadyville, NY, where she worked for New York State Electric & Gas located just a few doors down the street. When the marriage ended, Ruth took on the heroic duties of single motherhood.
In 1969, Ruth met and married USAF Major Peter Bartels. She became a stepmother to Pete’s children, Valerie and Michael, and the family moved to Plattsburgh AFB. Brien came along in 1970, making this the quintessential “Yours, Mine, & Ours” family.
From 1973-1974, home was RAF Mildenhall in England, where Pete and Ruth cultivated their shared love of gardening. Pete decided to retire as a Lt. Col. and moved the family to Washington. Arriving in early 1975, they first settled in Lakewood, WA, and then, in 1983, moved to a five-acre spread south of Spanaway, WA, where Ruth and Pete indulged their great passion for vegetable, fruit, and flower gardening and entertained their young grandchildren.
They were members of St. Joseph-St.John Episcopal Church, and later, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, both in Lakewood. Ruth grew beautiful flowers and made arrangements for the altars at St. J-J’s, and later, for St. Mary’s. Ruth always looked forward to summers when she could lend her talents to Vacation Bible School, and to the fall when she helped plan and run St J-J’s All Hallows Eve party. She also volunteered with MOPs at St Mary’s, many rummage sales, and sang in the church choir. Both churches had a special place in her heart.
Ruth was a Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) in the Pierce County court system. She and Pete volunteered for Habitat for Humanity. Helping to build a house in Salishan resulted in a warm friendship with the family who would live in it. Mom kept up her philanthropy right to the end, always striving to use her gifts to make the world a better place
Ruth also loved family gatherings, playing golf, attending the theater, dining out with friends, and was in a bowling league with Pete for several years.
Ruth passed away May 7, 2024, at St. Clare Hospital in Lakewood, surrounded by family. She is survived by her brother Gordon (Alice) Grass and her children and their families: daughters Lynn (Kevin) Martin and Pam (Steven) Martin; son Brien Bartels; step-daughter Valerie (Steve) Behling; and grandchildren Evan Storlie (children Bronson, Nolan), Isaac (Kiri) Martin (children Heidi, Mira), Collin Storlie, Lauren Hammons (children Jayden, Henry, Devin), Haley (Kyle) Haller (children Carlyn, Kasen,Tenley), and Kellie Martin.
Ruth was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Pete, stepson Michael Bartels, brother George Grass, and niece Laura Grass.
She also leaves her sister-in-laws Irma Grass and Betty Bartels, nieces and nephews, many special friends, and a warm spot in her heart for the Dewey family.
Ruth’s funeral will be at 11:00 am, Thursday, May 30, at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Lakewood, with reception and reminiscences to follow. Inurnment for Ruth and Pete is May 31 at Mountain View Funeral
Home & Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Habitat for Humanity, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church or St. Joseph & St. John Episcopal Church, or Tacoma-Pierce County Humane Society.
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