Obituary

Ruth Delores Voigt died Thursday, April 18, 2013, at Whatcom Hospice, Bellingham, Washington. Ruth was born August 28, 1926, in Chicago, Illinois; the second of three children born to Margaret (Schwartz) and Edwin T. Voigt.

Shortly after graduating from Oak Park River Forest High School in Oak Park, Illinois, Ruth began as a keypunch operator for International Business Machines in Chicago, which led her to a career with IBM or one of its affiliates.

In 1955 the Voigt family moved to Seattle where Ruth continued with IBM, eventually becoming a representative to credit bureaus. She took a two-year sabbatical in 1959 to work at Malibu Club Young Life non-denominational Christian camp for teenagers in British Columbia. Following retirement and moving to Bellingham, Washington, Ruth consulted in disaster control and recovery and continued active volunteering.

Whether it was her job, church, friendships, politics, American Red Cross, Master Gardeners, or volunteering for the City of Bellingham Municipal Court and Whatcom Transit Authority Citizens Advisory Board, Ruth approached each enthusiastically.

Ruth is survived by her sister Helen (Richard) Harris; niece Michelle (Mark) Zeiger, nephews Karl (Jody) Harris and Stanley (Barbara) Harris and their families; cousins in Florida, Mississippi, Oregon and Illinois; longtime close friends Dr. Barbara Fry, Betty Kiner, Barbara Purdy, Lynne Peterson and Ruths goddaughter Ryda.

Farewell Tribute Information

Memorial services will be held at 3:00 pm. Saturday, April 27 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 119 Texas Street, Bellingham, Washington, with Pastor Douglas Iben officiating. An informal reception will follow. Donations Information

Remembrances may be made to Whatcom Hospice, 2800 Douglas Avenue, Bellingham, Washington, 98225; Trinity Lutheran Church, 98225; or benevolence of your choice