Martha Marie Ruff

MARTHA MARIE (LAPP) RUFF November 10, 1919 ~ August 10, 2011 Martha was born in Golden Valley, North Dakota to Martin and Sophia (Mittelsteadt) Lapp. She married Alex Ruff, Jr. and together they ran a fruit ranch in Naches, Washington, growing apples, pears, cherries and other varieties of fruit. After Alex's passing, Martha moved to Vancouver, Washington to be closer to her daughter Diana. Martha was a faithful member of St. John Lutheran Church in Vancouver, Washington until her failing health prevented her attendance. She still continued to attend services at the assisted living community where she lived whenever possible. Martha was a former, long time active member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Yakima, Washington. Martha enjoyed working with the Dorcas Sewers Group at St. John's, making quilts for those in need. She also knitted and crocheted many afghan's for family and friends over the years. As her health declined, she found peace in reading her Bible and other Christian Literature. When she and her husband Alex had their fruit ranch in Yakima, Washington, she spent time working in her flower and vegetable gardens, canning fruit and vegetables they grew, making jams and jellies and preparing wonderful German meals for her family. Martha was a loving and caring person who shared so much of herself with her family, friends, church and people in need. With all of the things she did, she most certainly made a great impact on the people's lives that she touched. She is survived by: son, Arvid Ruff of Mesa, Arizona; daughter, Diana Sevier of Ridgefield, Washington; granddaughters, Wendy Gardenhire of Yakima, Washington and Lisa Sevier of Portland, Oregon; great-granddaughter, Taylor Gardenhire of Yakima, Washington; sister, Esther (Lapp) Adolf of Monroe, Washington. She was preceded in death by: husband, Alex Ruff Jr. in 1990; parents, Martin and Sophia; brothers, Ted Lapp and Manuel Lapp; sisters, Hertha Lapp (Seibel) and Hilda Lapp (Seibel) . Funeral service will be held Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 12:00 Noon at St. John Lutheran Church: 11005 N.E. Highway 99, Vancouver, Washington. Memorial donations may be made in Martha's name to St. John Lutheran Church, 11005 NE Highway 99, Vancouver, Washington 98686 or to The Lutheran Hour Ministries, 660 Mason Ridge Center Drive, St. Louis, MO 63141.

Martha Marie Ruff

November 10, 1919 - August 10, 2011