While surrounded by family and friends, Ruthie Smiley passed away peacefully on March 10, 2008, after fighting a courageous battle with pneumonia. She was born in Crowley, Colo., on April 12, 1923, to Fred and Maybelle Young. She spent her younger life in Ordway, Colo., with her sister, Zenetta and brother, Harold.

She was married to Johnny Jonach in 1943, then to D.W. Smiley in 1953. Out of those two marriages she has four daughters, Sherry, Joanie, Gayle and Nancy. Ruthie and D.W. lived in several towns in Colorado before moving to Billings in 1964. They also lived in Big Timber and Lewistown before moving back to Billings.

In 1989, they moved near Whitefish to be close to Gayle and Dan, and it was here that they stayed. They enjoyed their home in the woods and loved seeing the wildlife. Ruthie was known to put out feed for the critters!

She was full of spirit and life and loved everyone she met. She was a wonderful care-giver and mother. The highlights of her life were her family and friends that she dearly loved to be with. She was filled with spunk and a vitality that will be sorely missed. She loved her flowers and couldn't wait to do her spring planting.

She was preceded in death by her husband, D.W., in Sept.1998.

She is survived by her daughters, Sherry Patterson and Nancy Michels of Columbia Falls, Joanie and Howard Caudill of Modesto, Calif., and Gayle and Dan Brown of Whitefish. She has eight grandchildren, Joanie's — Justin and Jeremy, Gayle's — Ronica, Jake, Dan Jr., and Tracy, and Nancy's — James and Marsha. She has eight great-grandchildren, Austin, Sawyer, Hailey, Gavin, Colton, Madison, Jared and Dillon.

Ruthie is a third-generation Methodist, who proudly carried on the tradition with her family, who are now in their sixth generation at the Whitefish United Methodist Church. She had so many dear friends from the church and elsewhere in the community, especially the 'girls' who did her hair and kept her beautiful!

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 15, at the Whitefish United Methodist Church at 1150 Wisconsin Avenue.

Memorial contributions can be made in her name to your favorite charity or to the Whitefish United Methodist Church.

'We will not say good-bye, as you are with us always in our hearts and prayers.'