Lemley Chapel
Serving Sedro-Woolley &
All of Skagit County Since 1935
1008 Third Street
Sedro-Woolley, WA
360-855-1288
www.LemleyChapel.com
Ruth “Ruthie” E. Kermen Memorial
Ruth “Ruthie” E. Kermen Memorial

Ruth “Ruthie” E. Kermen

Ruth “Ruthie” E. Kermen

Tuesday, October 16th, 2018

Ruth “Ruthie” E. Kermen, age 78, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends at her home in Mount Vernon on October 8, 2018, after a two year courageous battle with breast cancer. Ruth had such a strong and positive attitude throughout her cancer including when it had metastasized to her brain and she had surgery to remove the tumor.

She was born January 16, 1940 in rural Sheridan County, Kansas to Stella (Sterrett) and Murl Simon. She and her dad were born and raised on the same farm and in the same house. She was baptized on April 3, 1949 at the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church near Studley, KS.

Ruth attended school in the country before transferring to school in town and graduated in 1958 from Sheridan Community High School, Hoxie, KS.  After graduation, she started bookkeeping school but then was called home to help with cooking and harvest. Ruth was always a hard worker and over the years her jobs included being a waitress and a flagger. Her most recent job was working as a slot hostess at the Skagit Casino in Bow, WA. She started the day they opened their doors and retired twenty years later to the day. She worked full time until the age of 75 and enjoyed her co-workers and meeting all the customers of which some she became good friends with.

Ruth’s greatest joy of all was spending time with family, her “little man” poodle named Prince and friends. She was a loving mom, grandma, nana, sister, aunt and known to all for her smile and kindness.

Ruth was a Seahawk and Mariner fan and enjoyed watching the games. She and her family made sure they all wore their “Seahawk” shirts during game days!

Ruth had a huge passion for sewing and quilting. She had an amazing talent for picking out just the right fabric pieces when making her quilts. When she first began quilting, she made a lighthouse quilt which went to Washington D.C. and hung at the Hyatt Hotel for the Pfaff Sewing Convention competition. Her quilt placed 2nd in her division and it was such an honor for her as she competed against others from around the world.

To many, Ruth will be remembered for her special embroidered angels that she made. She gave out thousands over the years to those that were ill, had a disability, going through a hard time, wanted to thank you for something you did for her or just because she wanted you to have one. It gave her joy to make someone’s day by giving them one of her angels. Now, she is our Angel in heaven and will forever be in our hearts and memories.

Ruth is survived by daughters, Tina (Ben) Clark, of Mount Vernon, WA and Kristy (Marty) Mamigonian, of Littleton, CO; son, Trace (Sue) Deibert, of Benton City, WA; brothers, Dwayne Simon, of Hoxie, KS and Lawrence (Katherine) Simon, of Morland, KS; step-brothers, Pat (Lois) Sumner of LaFeria, TX and Don (JoAnn) Sumner of Tifton, GA; grandchildren,  Benny Clark Jr., Amanda (Jeffrey) Garland,  Zach Mamigonian, Gabe Mamigonian (fiancé Rachael Trotter), Nick Mamigonian,  Justin Deibert,  Kayla (Albert) Philpott and Miranda Deibert; great-grandchildren, Jasmyne & Jordan Garland and Jacob Chasey and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Murl Simon and Stella Simon Sumner; stepdad, Roy Sumner; infant son, Todd Deibert; brother, Freddie Simon.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Jafari and the staff at the Mount Vernon Cancer Care Center for all the wonderful care they gave Ruth. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ruth’s honor to: Skagit Valley Hospital Foundation Cancer Care Fund, PO Box 1376, Mount Vernon, WA 98273.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the Northwest Ball Room at the Skagit Casino in Bow on Saturday, October 27 at 11:00 AM.  Enter in the hotel lobby and follow the signs. A private Inurnment will be at the Union Cemetery in Sedro-Woolley. Please share your memories of Ruth and sign the online guest register.

Guestbook

  • Tom Ghioto and Shirley Pierson

    In loving memory of Ruth’s wonderful life with friends and family. She was loved by many, and will be truly missed.

  • Pam Aldridge

    Tina, Ben, Amanda, Benny and Family,
    We are thinking of you, so sorry for your loss. hugs to you all.

  • Lynda Stout (and Steve)

    Tina & Family:
    Ruth will be so missed. I will treasure so many memories of her—especially when she fooled me into eating “chicken fried steak” which was really her Rocky Mountain oysters! She may have been small but had a mighty big personality and a huge heart. Steve and I will truly miss her. What a legacy of love she leaves for you and the grandkids and great-grandkids. Heaven has gained a very special angel!!!

  • Dorene and Jerry Kartes

    Ruth will always be remembered for her welcoming smile and loving attitude. She had the unique ability to make each person feel very special. She will definitely be missed. My heart hurts for her children. Stay strong and be grateful that you had such a loving mother.

  • Nancy Thomas

    I am so saddened to here about Ruthie I not only knew her from the casino but I was her “little man’s ” groomer for many years. We all loved her Prayers to her family .

  • John Jonasson

    I met Ruth in the 1970’s I had not seen her in several years but Ruth was always someone that would great you with a smile and ask how my folks and other family members were doing. She always cared. Ruth was also very proud of her children. Ruth was a one of a kind person that will be missed. I hunted on the ranch when Ruth lived there. She always asked if i wanted to stay for dinner. Some how mountain oysters were always on the menu, never did stay. Some people will always stay in your your memory and Ruth was one of those people.

  • Kelli Frazier

    Tina & family,
    I am so sorry! I loved Ruthie! Always had a smile on her face! I hope that you will find comfort that she touched so many lives with her HUG HEART! I am blessed to have been one of those. I will be thinking of you all on Saturday, unfortunately I will be out of town & unable to attend her service.
    Thoughts & prayers my friend.
    Kelli Frazier

  • Kevin and Melanie

    Will certainly miss our beautiful aunt! She was a lovely gal that truly loved life and enjoyed people. Her family were her treasures and she invested mightily in them. Praying that the Lord is especially close to her children and grandchildren!
    she touched so many lives positively and her crocheted angels were given out abundantly. She was a fighter and we will treasure her memory.

  • Margo Cole

    I will truely miss my friend of 35 years . My heart goes out to her family and friends. Tina thank you for being such an awesome daughter, I will never forget your kindness, Ruthie was a very special lady and I am proud to have known her.

  • Margo Cole

    I will treasure my memories of my dear friend of 35 years. I truely will miss her from the bottom of my heart, there was no one like her and it is so hard to say good bye to someone you love. To her family, my most sincere condolenses, and thank you Tina for being such an awesome daughter.

  • Anita Mitchell

    This lady was a sweetheart!! I used to see her and say hi and have small talk at the casino. So sad, she was such a friendly person. With an infectious smile😁