Ruth Paula Bertsch, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, entered God’s Kingdom of Heaven on June 2, 2016. Ruth was born on Dec. 7, 1931, in Sherwood, Ore., to Ernst and Lilly Scholz, and grew up among seven siblings on the family farm in Cornelius, Ore.

After graduating from Hillsboro High School, she married Richard A. Bertsch in 1952. The couple moved to Coeur d’Alene in 1956, where they were founding members of Christ the King Lutheran Church.

Ruth was a full-time mom to three sons for many years before re-entering the workforce with Lafferty Transportation, from where she retired in 1996. She enjoyed reading novels, and also music. She spent many years in the church choir, including some time as director. She was also church treasurer for a term.

Ruth was preceded in death by her oldest son, John, in 1964; her husband, Richard, in 2004; and also by her parents and brothers, Martin and Robert Scholz.

Survivors are son and daughter-in-law Thomas and Donna Bertsch of Post Falls; son and daughter-in-law Joel and Kim Bertsch of Coeur d’Alene; and grandchildren Ashley Payton of Pullman, Wash., Tori Bertsch of Billings, Mont., John Bertsch of Little Rock, Ark., and Sara Stepro of Coeur d’Alene. Also, sisters Donna Stark of Cornelius, Thelma Sanks of Walla Walla, Wash., Ann Middleton of Hillsboro, Ore., Doris McConnell of Bellingham, Wash.; and brother John Scholz of Newberg, Ore.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, June 10, 2016, at Christ the King Lutheran Church, with burial to follow at Coeur d’Alene Memorial Gardens. Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Ruth’s online memorial at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com and sign her guest book.