Ruth Botchek, 85, 'left this life to be with her Lord' on Saturday, April 14, 2007, at the Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell. She was born Sept. 25, 1921, in Byron, Wyo., the daughter of George and Cecile (Messick) Rice.

She was baptized as an infant and confirmed into the Lutheran faith at St. John's Lutheran Church in Libby.

On June 16, 1937, she married George Botchek in Libby. To this marriage two sons and one daughter were born.

She lived in Libby for many years before her husband was transferred in 1963 to Kalispell, where they continued to live.

She was a longtime member of Trinity Lutheran Church, teaching 5-year-olds in Sunday school class for many years, was also a LWML (Lutheran Women Missionary League) member and also member of several circles over the years.

After her husband's death, she went to work at the Outlaw Inn for 8 1/2 years until her retirement.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years; and her mother and father.

She is survived by her daughter, Susan Cohenour, and husband, Al, of Kalispell; and two sons, Kevin Botchek and wife, Virginia, of Kalispell, and Gary Botchek and wife, Nancy, of Missoula; her sister, Margaret Yarn, of Shelby; four nephews, Charles and Jacob Botchek of Spokane, Gordon Peterson of Coulee City, Wash., and Larry B. Yarn of Shelby; and two nieces, Donna Haberman of Mesa, Ariz., and Julie Schomer of Gillette, Wyo.; she also is survived by five grandchildren, Scott Botchek of Reno, Nev., Laine and Jamie Botchek of Missoula, and Rachelle Blake and Randy Blake of Kalispell; and four great-grandchildren.

Funeral services for Ruth will be held at 1:30 p.m. today, April 20, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Kalispell, with Pastor Mark Cutler officiating. Burial will be afterward at Glacier Memorial Gardens.

The family suggests that memorials be sent to Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell, MT 59901; or Immanuel Lutheran Home, 185 Crestline Ave., Kalispell, MT 59901.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Ruth's family.