1919
Ruth
2008
Ruth F. Botsford
May 9, 1919 — January 17, 2008
Ruth F. Botsford, 88, died peacefully Thursday, January 17, 2008, at The Springs in Missoula, Montana, where she had been a resident for the past 3 years.
Graveside services will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 28, 2008 at the Western Township Cemetery, Orion, IL. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Sunday at Kirk, Huggins & Esterdahl Funeral Home, Ltd., 1301-4th St., Orion. Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Missoula, MT.
Mom was born May 9, 1919, in Moline, Illinois, the daughter of Harry and Millie Ferguson. She was raised on the family farm outside of Orion, Illinois. Upon graduation from Orion High School in 1936, she attended Western Illinois Teachers College in Macomb. In a double wedding ceremony shared with her sister, Lenore, she was united in marriage to Douglas M. Botsford on August 18, 1938 at the First Baptist Church in Orion. Dad died November 30, 1990 in Eustis, Florida.
During the first years of their marriage, Mom and Dad lived in Orion and Rock Island. In 1948, they purchased a country home with an apple orchard near Coal Valley, Illinois. It was here they raised their three sons: Bruce (Carol) of Dillon; Terry (Lois) of Frenchtown; and Randy (Courtney) of Missoula. After moves to Neenah and Madison, Wisconsin and Dad's retirement in 1969, they built a winter home in Coral Gables, Florida, and a summer home in Murphy (Bear Paw), North Carolina. They enjoyed golfing, sailing, traveling, and visiting their sons and grandchildren. As the population grew in the Miami area, Mom and Dad moved North to Boynton Beach and then to Eustis.
After Dad's death, Mom moved to Missoula to be closer to family. As a resident of Missoula for 16 years, she was active in the First Presbyterian Church and served as a Deacon. Mom worked as a volunteer at the Missoula Food Bank, and gave freely of herself visiting shut-ins. She enjoyed playing cards, playing the organ and sharing her love of life with family, friends and strangers. A stranger meeting Mom for the first time became a friend. Her love was boundless.
Mom is also survived by nine grandchildren: John (Shelly); Patricia; Karl (Ranie); Chris (Christa); Sarah (Greg); Michael; Amy (Ed); Greg and Dylan. She was delighted to have many great grandchildren: McKayla; Ty; Madison; Lauren; Cal; Ellie; Ramsey Rose; Jace; Kaylee; Jessica; Ana; and Bennan. Also surviving Mom is her sister, Lenore Rostron, of Boise, Idaho, and nephews, nieces, and cousins throughout the country. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and infant sister.
Online condolences may be expressed to Ruth's family by visiting her obituary at
www.esterdahlmortuary.com
Graveside services will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 28, 2008 at the Western Township Cemetery, Orion, IL. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Sunday at Kirk, Huggins & Esterdahl Funeral Home, Ltd., 1301-4th St., Orion. Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Missoula, MT.
Mom was born May 9, 1919, in Moline, Illinois, the daughter of Harry and Millie Ferguson. She was raised on the family farm outside of Orion, Illinois. Upon graduation from Orion High School in 1936, she attended Western Illinois Teachers College in Macomb. In a double wedding ceremony shared with her sister, Lenore, she was united in marriage to Douglas M. Botsford on August 18, 1938 at the First Baptist Church in Orion. Dad died November 30, 1990 in Eustis, Florida.
During the first years of their marriage, Mom and Dad lived in Orion and Rock Island. In 1948, they purchased a country home with an apple orchard near Coal Valley, Illinois. It was here they raised their three sons: Bruce (Carol) of Dillon; Terry (Lois) of Frenchtown; and Randy (Courtney) of Missoula. After moves to Neenah and Madison, Wisconsin and Dad's retirement in 1969, they built a winter home in Coral Gables, Florida, and a summer home in Murphy (Bear Paw), North Carolina. They enjoyed golfing, sailing, traveling, and visiting their sons and grandchildren. As the population grew in the Miami area, Mom and Dad moved North to Boynton Beach and then to Eustis.
After Dad's death, Mom moved to Missoula to be closer to family. As a resident of Missoula for 16 years, she was active in the First Presbyterian Church and served as a Deacon. Mom worked as a volunteer at the Missoula Food Bank, and gave freely of herself visiting shut-ins. She enjoyed playing cards, playing the organ and sharing her love of life with family, friends and strangers. A stranger meeting Mom for the first time became a friend. Her love was boundless.
Mom is also survived by nine grandchildren: John (Shelly); Patricia; Karl (Ranie); Chris (Christa); Sarah (Greg); Michael; Amy (Ed); Greg and Dylan. She was delighted to have many great grandchildren: McKayla; Ty; Madison; Lauren; Cal; Ellie; Ramsey Rose; Jace; Kaylee; Jessica; Ana; and Bennan. Also surviving Mom is her sister, Lenore Rostron, of Boise, Idaho, and nephews, nieces, and cousins throughout the country. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and infant sister.
Online condolences may be expressed to Ruth's family by visiting her obituary at
www.esterdahlmortuary.com
To send flowers to the family in memory of Ruth F. Botsford, please visit our flower store.