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RUTH MARY ELIZABETH AHOLA
June 19, 1916 ~ September 4, 2012
Ruth Ahola of Hockinson, WA, passed away on Sept. 4, 2012. She was born Ruth Mary Elizabeth Ojala on June 19, 1916 in Hockinson, WA, one of five children of Finnish immigrants, Andrew and Alina Ojala. Ruth played guitar in the orchestra at the Finnish Congregational Church where her father was minister. She graduated from Hockinson School (top of her class) and Battle Ground High School.
After working for four years in Portland, OR, she married Alfred Ahola. They moved onto the existing Ahola homestead in Hockinson and raised seven children there.
Ruth sang soprano in the church choir and volunteered with Ladies' Aid for more than 30 years. She nurtured an abundant flower garden, wrote poetry and earned a PTA Golden Acorn Award. In her later years, world travel and friendships at seniors groups and the Finnish Kaleva Lodge gave Ruth great joy.
Ruth is survived by her daughters: Alina Marie McElveny (Carl Jr.), Nita Countryman (Byron), Alice Chandler (Larry), all of Hockinson, and Donna Andrews (Dick) of Tukwila WA; two sons: Mark (Linda) of Montana, Merlin (Julie) of Hockinson, and a daughter-in-law Carol Ahola of Vancouver; 23 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; a sister, Esther Shrier of Redmond, OR; and a brother, John Ojala of Hazel Dell, WA.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Alfred Paul Ahola; and her oldest son, Milton.
The family thanks the Boneski family, devoted friends, and the caregivers at Canyon Creek who gave Ruth personal care in recent years of fragile health.
A memorial service at Hockinson Community Church will be Sunday afternoon, Sept. 16, 3:00 p.m. Private family burial was at Finn Hill Cemetery in Brush Prairie, WA.
Thinking of flowers? Deliver a bouquet to an elderly friend, or send a memorial gift to Hockinson Community Church, designated for missions.
Please sign her guest book at: www.columbian.com/obits.
Published in The Columbian on September 11, 2012
