Ruth Holmes

Ruth Holmes, 90, passed away Saturday, July 1, 2017 at the Blue Mountain Care Center in Prairie City, OR. A Memorial Service will be held Friday, July 7 at 1 P.M.  at the John Day Golf Club in John Day, OR.  Ruth’s ashes will be interred at a later date at the Cemetery in Burns Oregon.

Ruth was born December 13, 1926 ,in Mt. Vernon,OR at the Fletcher Ranch to George & Mae Belle Hammons (Fletcher).  She grew up and attended school in Mt. Vernon through the 10th grade.  Ruth quit school to go to work and help with family finances.   The family moved to Burns in 1939.

In 1942 Ruth and sister Diddy traveled by bus to Los Angeles to find jobs.  They worked at a restaurant for three months and returned home to Burns due to an illness in the family.

On May 7, 1945 Ruth married Merrill V. Anderson in Coeur d’Alene, ID. 

Ruth worked as a cook at various cafes in Burns:  Palace, Elkhorn, Arrowhead.  She also cooked at the Wounded Buffalo in Mt. Vernon.  In the early ‘70’s Ruth and sister Babs ran the Town Tavern in Stevenson, WA.   In 1977 she opened the Wagon Wheel Café in Mt. Vernon.  Around  the mid to late 1990’s Ruth and sisters Babs and Diddy ran the Wagon Wheel Tavern in Mt. Vernon.

She is survived by her daughter Phyllis Propeck (Dan) of Mt. Vernon and Son Val Anderson of Hines, OR.; seven grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.  

Ruth was preceded in death by daughters Sheri Lemrick (Jack) and Marilyn Francis (Jerry); parents George Hammons (1934) and Mae Bell Hammons (1982); brothers Joe David Hammons (1935), Harlan Hammons (1949), Richard Hammons (2005) and George (Perk) Hammons (2014); sisters Roberta (Babs) Hammons (2008), Della (Diddy) Steele (2011), Norma Fry (2014), Violet Yarber (2015); and grandson Andy Lemrick(1980).

For those who would like to make a donation in memory of Ruth the family suggests Home Health/Hospice through Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home & Cremation Services PO Box 543 Halfway, Oregon 97834. On line condolences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com

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