Obituaries from the week of January 4, 2006

Ruth Skinner, 90

Ruth Viola Skinner, age 90, passed away on December 24, 2005 in Sun City West, AZ.

She was born on April 15, 1915 in Westbrook MN, the youngest of five children. Her family moved to Tracy, MN where she graduated from Tracy High School in 1933. She worked as a telephone operator and met and married Isadore Leon Novak.

They moved west during WWII where Isadore worked in the Portland shipyards, Ruth worked as a secretary for the Vanport School District. They moved to Vancouver, WA in 1947 which became her home for 55 years.

After 25 years as a bookkeeper for States Steamship, CO, she retired after meeting and marrying Dr. Henry L. Skinner.

Henry and Ruth enjoyed their later years wintering in Sun City West, AZ.

Ruth was a noble and gracious lady.

She is survived by son Vincent L. Novak (Norma), of Spokane, WA; daughter, Nancy R. Giles (Dale) of Vancouver, WA; step-daughter, Pat Larson (Dave) of Tillamook, OR; nine grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

Ruth was a former member of the Battle Ground garden club, a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Vancouver, and Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Sun City West, AZ, Eastern Star and Questors Organizations.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Isadore Novak and Dr. Henry L. Skinner; brothers, Ralph and Lawrence Greenman and sisters, Thelma Shoeman and Leona Merritt.

A Celebration of Life service was held on Friday, December 30, 2005 at Trinity Lutheran Church and private family services will be held at Evergreen Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Contributions in lieu of flowers can be sent to Trinity Lutheran Church in Vancouver, WA or to the American Heart Association.

Arrangements were made by the Vancouver Funeral Chapter.