Obituary

Alta Ruth (Burt) Calkins, 101, stepped into the arms of her Savior on October 22, 2024. She was born to William and Sarah (Henderson) Burt in Thermopolis, WY, on February 21, 1923. She lived a full and vibrant life from beginning to end and touched the lives of countless people along the way.

She traveled to all 50 states and lived in 8 of them throughout her life. She worked as a telephone switchboard operator and later became a piano teacher.  She married Lyle S. Calkins on November 21, 1953, in Glendale, CA, and they settled in Bellingham, WA, in 1965 where they raised 3 children.  She and Lyle were actively involved in the Church of God, spending much time in the service of the church and mission field.  She served in many capacities, including Christian education director, Sunday school teacher, choir director, and as a wedding coordinator for 30 years.

Alta Ruth was an avid learner. She received her bachelor’s degree in 1952. For the last 20 years, she continued to attend the annual Global Leadership Summit, hosted by Cornwall Church. At the age of 98, she enrolled in a class at the community college. At the age of 99, she spoke at a women’s conference in Bellingham.  Alta Ruth knew and spoke of the faithfulness of Jesus throughout her life, even to her last days in the hospital and care facility, pointing people to the life that they could have in Jesus.

Alta Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Lyle S. Calkins, her daughter, Christine VanderYacht, her parents, and 3 siblings.

She is survived by her daughter Anita (Patrick) Dunnigan, son, Harold Calkins, son-in-law, Dean VanderYacht; 4 grandchildren: Natalie Almquist (Stacey Swan), Michelle VanderYacht (Branden Zoerink), Amy (Dadney) Gonzalez, Heidi O’Ferrall; 5 great-grandchildren: Jackson, Rylan, Andi, Makenzie, and Luka.

Alta Ruth’s memorial service will be held Saturday, November 16, 2024 at 1:00 PM in the Loft at Cornwall Church, 4518 Northwest Drive, Bellingham, WA.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to SMF (Service Missions Fellowship), Cornwall Church, 4518 Northwest Drive, Bellingham, WA.