Ruth Rankin died peacefully in her sleep Tuesday, February 20th. Ruth Anne Sophia was born January 17th, 1928, in Swedish Hospital, Seattle, Washington. What a happy day when little Ruthie was born to Swedish immigrants Anne and Jonas Alfred Soderström and raised on their Camano Island farm.

Ruth graduated from Twin City HS with honors and went onto attend Western Washington College, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts. Summers she worked at Stanwood's Twin Cities Foods freezing peas. During college she lived in Eden's Hall, where you could find her playing piano and song leading with her friends. She was a Homecoming Princess and active in student leadership.

While involved in WWC student leadership she met her husband, Loren Rankin. Valentine's Day he proposed on Chuckanut Drive outside of Bellingham. They wed August 19, 1950, and were married for 65 years. Ruth began teaching in Shoreline School District. She took a break from teaching to raise her children.

During this time, she became a Patron of the Arts with Innis Arden Friends of Music and Art, Seattle Opera Group, and singing in the University Presbyterian Church Choir. She was active in Utsalady Ladies Aid, Alpha Delta Kappa Honorary Sorority and P.E.O. Sisterhood.

In 1968 she earned her Master's in Speech Therapy and began teaching in Mukilteo school district until her retirement. She purchased her Utsalady home, she called her Stuga, Swedish for cabin. Many happy family times and gatherings were spent at her Stuga.

Most notably Ruth had a strong pure faith in God, deeply rooted in childhood. She exuded a pure, joyous, and determined spirit. She taught Bible Study Fellowship for twelve years, then went on to study Precepts. Blessed assurance she has gone on ahead to join her Lord and beautiful Savior.

Ruth is preceded in death by her husband, Loren Ashley Rankin. Left behind to cherish her memory are her 3 children, Nancy (David) Morris, David Rankin, Douglas Rankin, and her precious granddaughter Nicole Anna Marie Lundin. Thank you to the loving Staff at Crista, Calvin Presbyterian Church Deacons, and Ruth's long-time caregiver Frewieni Afeworki.

A celebration of life will be held on Camano Island at the Utsalady Ladies Aide, Saturday, April 13, 2024 at 1:00pm

Remembrances can be made to Camano Island Baptist Church.