Ruth (Ruthe) Elizabeth Anderson entered to rest in Santa Barbara CA on January 5, 2019 at the age of 92.
Ruthe was born in Durand Wisconsin on September 26, 1926 and was the youngest of Russell and Anna Bignell’s four children. Ruthe graduated from Durand High School in 1944. After college, she married William (Bill) Anderson in Durand in 1946. Together, with their children (Rob, Jeanne, Martie, and Kathy), the family moved many times from North to South and finally to Connecticut and then to California, settling in Santa Barbara California in 1964.
During her life, Ruthe held leadership roles in many organizations including the Santa Barbara Assistance League, the Santa Barbara Symphony League, the Christian Women’s Club, the Cancer Foundation, the Hope Ranch Republican Woman’s Club, the Newcomers and Postcomers Club, and the Santa Barbara Women’s Club.
She was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Santa Barbara where she served as a deaconess, council member, and as a member of the Altar Guild for many years.
Ruthe loved to travel, and play bridge, and she enjoyed planning and running fashion shows for the Biltmore. In her later years, especially, she loved to tell the stories of her life.
She is survived by her daughters, Martie Tracy (Gary) and Kathy North (Jim), her grandchildren Eowyn, Corin (Melissa), and Seth (Pilar Belhumeur) Thompson, and Jeff, Dan (Megan) and Lindsay (Daniel Gulbransen) Tracy, great grandchildren Donavon, Jayna, Devan, Elliott, and Liam, and nieces and nephews.
Ruthe was predeceased by her husband, Bill in 1980, her son Rob in 2016, and her daughter Jeanne in 1989, and her mother, father, sister, and brothers.
Ruthe raised a wonderful family with her husband Bill, travelled the world with friends and family, and enjoyed the last 54 years of her life in her beloved Santa Barbara. Ruthe was unforgettable and will be missed – she was a force.
Viewing will be at Welch-Ryce-Haider Mortuary,15 E. Sola Street, Santa Barbara from 9:30 to 10:30 on January 28, followed by interment at 11:00 at Santa Barbara Cemetery, followed by a celebration of her life at Trinity Lutheran Church located at
909 N. La Cumbre Road at 1:00 P.M.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care Foundation, Trinity Lutheran Church, or your favorite charity.
