At 93, Ruth Fanshier will still be traveling with the Rambling Rovers, a senior travel club in Coeur d'Alene.

However, after 26 years of volunteering her time as secretary, tour coordinator, newsletter editor and office manager for the last 14 years, Fanshier is retiring the office to her daughter, Julie Cole.

"I don't know how many times mom's told me in this training thing - she said, 'I have loved every minute of being the office manager,'" Cole said. "I've got big shoes to fill."

Eighty-four members of the club attended the "Ruth Fanshier Appreciation Day" at their monthly luncheon Thursday at the Best Western Plus Coeur d'Alene Inn, including two of her four daughters who joined the club when they became appropriate age, as the Rambling Rovers is a club for people older than 50.

As the group ate lunch, one of Fanshier's favorite musicians, JJ Dion from Post Falls, played his guitar while singing upbeat songs that had much of the audience taking time between bites of food to sing along.

The Rovers who spoke up during the luncheon had nothing but nice things to say about Fanshier.

"If you want to know anything about the Rovers, or the procedures to accomplish something, we all went to Ruth," said Anna Marie Halpern, former president of the Rovers. "Her mind is an encyclopedia of information regarding the Rovers. I think Ruth is a very eloquent lady (who) has been an absolute honor and privilege for me to know and work alongside. May you enjoy your day and thank you for taking care of the Rovers all these years."

Halpern presented Fanshier with a photo album bearing photographs from the group's travels and other occasions, including her 93rd birthday party.

"I feel like I am winning an Oscar or an award or something," Fanshier said, looking through the album.

Fanshier said she moved to Coeur d'Alene from Walla Walla, Wash., in 1987 and joined the Rovers in 1989, one year after it was started by Lenora Jurvelin who, although unable to attend Thursday, is still an active member.

She said the Rovers have traveled to many different places over the years, including Greece, Ireland, China, New Zealand, Alaska and Hawaii. Her favorite place they traveled, she said, was New York because it held special meaning for her.

"My father was a German immigrant and came in to Ellis Island, and I always wanted to be there and see his name on the Wall of Honor," Fanshier said. "So we did and it was one of the highlights of the trip."

She said they also take many day-trips to Spokane and overnight trips around the Northwest. Their next destination is Cranbrook, Canada, she said.

Along with volunteering with the Rovers, Fanshier said in the past she has also done volunteer work at the hospital and Christ the King Lutheran Church. Now, she said she will spend her free time with her daughters, 10 grandchildren, "many" great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

As her final duty as office manager, Fanshier inducted the new members of the board, and as Halpern stepped down, Brewer was inducted as the new president of the Rovers.

"I have served under 12 presidents," Fanshier said, thanking the few who were in attendance, and thanking all the members for being there. "And thanks again for this honor - I will never forget this great day."

As the newest president of the Rambling Rovers, Brewer became emotional as she addressed Fanshier for the last time as their office manager.

"Ruth, I want you to know you have been a beacon, a help in a storm," Brewer said. "I know that you love the Rovers ... I am so thankful to you and I look to you as the epitome of a woman, thank you so much."