Ruth Elaine Lind

Ruth Elaine Lind, age 98, passed away peacefully on October 11, 2024 at Avalon Care Center in Bellingham, Washington.

Ruth was born on December 15, 1925, in Red Wing, Minnesota to Leon Harper and Evelyn Ruth (Larson) Pfluger. 

Growing up in rural Wisconsin, Ruth began life on a rundown farm and then in a log cabin with two younger siblings and no indoor plumbing. Leon traveled west to work for the Navy on Bellingham Bay building minesweepers in 1943. He sent for the family, now of seven children, to join him in Fairhaven, having decided to make Bellingham their home. Ruth stayed in Poynette, Wisconsin to finish school but decided to rejoin the family to finish her senior year of school at BHS. After graduating, she joined the war effort by working for Boeing on B-17 bombers in Renton. Upon returning to Bellingham, Ruth met and fell in love with a Southsider and war veteran, Robert Lind, and they were married in 1948.

Bob and Ruth started a family and lived 40 of their married years together in Happy Valley. In 1965, Ruth graduated from Western Washington State College and began teaching in the Bellingham School District, the last 20 years at Sehome High School, until her retirement in 1986.

Family was always at the core of Ruth's life. More than anything, she cherished the time spent surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Ruth will be remembered for her kindness, can-do attitude, and love of life she shared with everyone who knew her. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and neighbors.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, husband Robert (in October of 1994), siblings Doris, Roy, Roger, and Gerald. She survived by sisters Kay and Mary.

Ruth is survived by her son Craig (Kathy), daughters Rebecca (Harold) and Laurie (Ted), grandchildren Gabriel, Chad, Kirt, Nicolas, Colin, Hillary, and Emily, and five great-grandchildren.

Per Ruth’s wishes, no services will be held. She was laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery in Ferndale, Washington.