Ruth Monson

10/3/1926 – 4/21/2012
Ruth E. Monson, age 85, passed away April 21, 2012 at Spring Creek Retirement  Community in Bellingham after bravely sharing her life for several years with numerous types of cancer. She was born October 3, 1926 in Bellingham to Elizabeth and Albert Haveman. Ruth attended the Campus School and Bellingham High School where, as high school seniors, she was student body vice-president and her future husband, Ian Monson, was president. They were married in Bellingham on June 12, 1948. Ruth was an excellent homemaker, enjoying raising her children, sharing in her grandchildren’s lives and recently being entertained by her first great grandchild. She was politically active in her neighborhood, volunteered for several mayoral campaigns and served on the Bellingham Public Library Board for 16 years. Ruth had a sweet nature and was a warm, friendly and caring person. She enjoyed many summers at the family cabin on Lake Samish where special gatherings were highlighted by fabulous “salmon barbeques”. Later, in retirement, she and Ian spent many winters touring the Southwest with their trusty “XL” 5th wheel trailer in tow. Visiting the Kaisers in the “desert oasis” of Quartzsite, AZ was always a highlight of these trips. Ruth was preceded in death by her brother Tom Haveman. She is survived by her loving and caring husband, Ian, daughter Kathy (husband Fred) Kaiser, son Steve Monson, grandchildren Elizabeth, Max (wife Paulina) Kaiser and Matthew (wife Carolyn) Monson and their son Caleb, sister and brother-in-law Margaret and Don Lind, sister-in-law Pat Haveman and many close relatives and friends. Memorials may be made to Whatcom Hospice. A graveside service will be held at Bayview Cemetery on Saturday, May 26, 2012 at 1:00 pm. A reception will follow at 602 Fieldston Rd. in Bellingham.