Ruth Gehring

Ruth James Gehring, 82, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Wednesday, September 23, 2009, at the Pioneer Retirement Community in Fergus Falls. She was born November 2, 1926, in Princeton, Maine, an identical twin, born after her sister, Irene and the daughter of Josiah J. and Irene (Aberle) James.  Ruth was baptized June 27, 1929, at St. Stanislaus Martyr Church in Brooklyn, New York, and was confirmed September 26, 1943, at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Waterville, Maine.  She was the youngest of four girls and grew up in rural Maine surrounded by much of her father’s family.  Her loving family relationships remained strong throughout her life. In 1949 she moved to New York City, and worked as a seamstress.  She became a designer of sportswear and swimwear for Catalina Bathing Suits.  In May of 1954 she and her twin sister were part of a talent show performing at the Air Force Base in Presque Isle, Maine, and that is where she met Raymond “Tom” Gehring.  They were married on October 29, 1954. In July, 1955, they moved to Seattle, Washington.  Here, she was surrounded by her husband’s family and established long lived relationships with family and friends.  She worked as part of the design team at Foster and Hochberg until 1958.  She and Tom raised two daughters, Mary Margaret “Meg” and Janet.  Ruth was involved with volunteering at the public schools and with Bluebirds and Camp Fire Girls. In 1969, Ruth and her family spent three years in the Twin Cities area before moving to Olney, Maryland, where she lived for 37 years.  She established herself in the community and spent many years volunteering for Meals On Wheels and People Helping People.  She was a good neighbor and a good friend.  In December, 2007, Ruth moved to Fergus Falls, and resided at the Pioneer Retirement Community.  She involved herself in this community as well, attending bingo to win chocolate bars for her grandsons, listening to guest musicians, enjoying other planned activities and regularly attending Mass. Ruth’s Roman Catholic faith was an important part of her life.  Her near-death experience in 1969 deepened her belief.  She faithfully attended Sunday Mass until she was physically unable to attend.  Her relationships with visiting Priests, laypersons, and prayer partners were held close to her heart. Ruth was talented and creative with her sewing and designing abilities.  She made all of her daughters’ clothes from infancy through elementary school and all of their semi-formal dresses for high school events.  She designed and created her own wedding dress and her daughter’s wedding dress.  She worked on projects with her sister-in-law for art shows.  She made apparel for her nieces and nephews all over the country.  She loved original art and paintings and helped promote local talent.  She appreciated the beauty and meaning of art. Ruth was an enthusiastic collector of ironstone and loved antiquing.  She would decorate her home, going “outside” the box with her ideas.  She enjoyed creating new and unusual combinations in the kitchen as well.  She always made enough to have leftovers to share with her father-in-law.  She loved to read and continued to educate herself throughout her life.  Ruth was a “people person” and she made friends everywhere. Her sense of humor was clearly woven into the fabric of her life.  Her cloak of many colors reflects her spirit, her love, and her ability to accept and embrace change.  God bless Ruth and all who have been touched by her. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, her sisters Editha Flibbert, Rachel Morrisette McCort, and her identical twin sister, Irene Soben, each of whom she loved dearly; also by her nephews, Alan Soben, Mark Gehring, and John Flibbert, each holding a special place in her heart.  The loss of her sister-in-law, Katie Gehring, was especially difficult for her. Her loving survivors include her husband, Tom Gehring, of Fergus Falls, and daughters Meg (Ken) Garrahan of Fergus Falls, and Janet Gehring of Richmond, VA; her grandsons, Shane Garrahan and his fiancé, Latoya Gruys, Kyle Garrahan, and Brett Garrahan; a brother-in-law, Bob (Jane) Gehring of Eugene, OR, and a sister-in-law, Betty Gehring of Maryland. She is loved by her surviving family in and around China, Maine, and her brother-in-law, John Soben in Florida.  She has many nieces, nephews, cousins, and relations that she leaves with love. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. Visitation: One hour prior to the service at the church Memorial Service: 1 p.m. Monday, September 28, 2009 at Federated Church in Fergus Falls Clergy: Reverend Doug Dent with Chaplain Harry Olson Interment:  Arlington National Cemetery, Washington DC Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls