Ruth Guldner, 86
Daily Inter-Lake | UPDATED 2 months AGO
Ruth Guldner, 86, of Bigfork, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, surrounded by her loved ones. Born in Mahony City, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of Charles Goodman and Grace Fetterman. She was raised by her maternal grandmother, Stella Fetterman.
She graduated from Mahony High School in 1960 and from Allentown School of Nursing in 1963. She pursued a career in nursing that spanned over 36 years. She began working at Allentown Hospital, where she taught maternity, and excelled in her profession as she became an Intensive Care and Coronary Care Supervisor. From the hospital, she then continued her career at Kraft General Foods, as a night nurse, where she drove her own mobile crash cart and treated a wide variety of medical emergencies. She loved her nursing days, and as she always said, "Once a nurse, always a nurse!"
She continued to provide care and compassion in every aspect of her life. She was also a very active member of several E.C. churches in Pennsylvania, playing piano and organ duets with her dear friend Grace, and directing handbell choirs there. She was very active in animal rescue and was a VP of Animals in Distress, a no-kill shelter in Pennsylvania, and continued throughout her life to support many animal rescue organizations.
In 2016, Ruth, her husband Chuck, with whom she celebrated 48 years of marriage, and her best friend and caregiver, Nanci, moved to Montana, where she immediately became active in Community United Methodist Church, singing in the choir, forming and directing the King’s Ringers handbell choir and serving on several committees. She loved people and always had a kind word and smile for everyone she met, making them feel welcome and loved. She will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
She is survived by her dearest friend and caregiver, Nanci; her bell choir, the King’s Ringers; her church family; and her extended family, including her "adopted grandson," Abe Ochs and the Jones family of Minnesota, her "adopted nieces and nephew."
She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles; her parents, Charles Goodman and Grace Fetterman and her grandparents.
A celebration of Ruth’s life will be held at 10 a.m. on Feb. 18 at CUMC in Bigfork, with interment at Glacier Memorial Gardens in Kalispell. Memorials can be sent to Kitty Moms, animal rescue groups of one's choice, or to the music department of CUMC.
Arrangements entrusted to Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home.
