Ruth Alberta (Hardaway) Johnson, 88, a longtime Kalispell resident, passed away peacefully at Good Samaritan Lutheran Nursing Home in Fort Collins, Colo., on Friday, April 13, 2007. Ruth was born in Kalispell on February 11, 1919, to Thomas Hunter and Martha Blanche (Chestnut) Hardaway, who have both preceded her in death, as have siblings Harriet, Florence, Robert, and Evaline. Her namesake granddaughter, Sarah Ruth, also preceded her in death.

In 1941, Ruth married Thomas Floyd Johnson and they made their home on a dairy farm in the Stillwater area, north of Kalispell. To this union, three sons were born. Both Ruth and Floyd were active in Stillwater Grange, as well as Epworth Methodist Church and later Riverside Missionary Alliance Church, and in a host of other community activities and organizations. Following Floyd's death in 1995, Ruth moved to Good Samaritan to be near Mark and his family.

Survivors include her three sons, Loren and Steve, Klamath Falls, Ore., Mark and Trish, Highlands Ranch,Colo., and Herbert and Pam, Vancouver, Wash. Ruth is also survived by four grandchildren, Chris, Matt, Jamie and Katie; eight great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews, as well as friends from across the entire span of her years.

Internment at Glacier Memorial Gardens in Kalispell will be announced later.

Remembrances may be sent to Good Samaritan Lutheran Nursing Home, 508 W. Tribly Road, Fort Collins, CO 80525, or to a charity of choice.