Ruby K. Ulseth

08/20/1931 — 10/16/2024

From Pasco, WA

Ruby K. Ulseth

Ruby Dean Knisley Ulseth, 93 y.o., passed away at home on October 16, 2024, while surrounded by her loving family.

Ruby was born in Nowata, Oklahoma to John and Retha Knisley.  Ruby grew up in Oklahoma, Arizona, and California before the family settled in Sunnyside after WWII.  She graduated from Sunnyside High School in 1949.

Ruby and her family moved to Richland, Washington after she graduated from high school and she started work as a clerk.  She met James (Jim), who was the love of her life, at a dance hall on the banks of the Columbia River.  They married one year later on September 29, 1951.  James went to work at Hanford for about a year.  In 1953; Jim, Ruby and their family moved to Minneapolis where he attended the University of Minnesota, graduating with a degree in Geology in 1959.

Ruby and Jim made their home in Richland, Washington and Ruby began working at the Department of Energy in the late 1960s, then transferred to Westinghouse Hanford as a Facilities Management Specialist for the last years of her employment.

After retirement, Ruby and Jim spent many happy years traveling the world before finally setting up a winter residence in Apache Junction, Arizona for over eighteen years.

Ruby had a passion for living and enjoyed many activities with her family and friends throughout her life such as camping, boating, fishing, hunting, music, snowmobiling, cruising, and traveling.  Ruby and Jim were members of a bridge club for many years.

Ruby was preceded in death by James, her parents and all of her siblings (Roy, Glenn, Frankie, Floyd, Pauline, Bill, and Bob).  Ruby and Jim were happily married for 64 years.  They were blessed with four daughters:  Judy (Mike) Wells, Denise (Bryan) Motsenbocker, Patty Norris (Ralph Garofolo), and Sandy Button (Tom Elliott).  She considered herself to be the luckiest mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and is survived by her grandchildren—Erika Norris Resch, Michael (Stephanie) Button, Jon (Maggie) Norris, James (Sarah) Motsenbocker, Alison (Jerred) Erickson, Matt (Shaley) Wells, Kristen (Simon) Bahr, Stephanie (Ryan Cole) Button, and Courtney (Andy) Lord.  She was always so happy to see her grandchildren and her eight great-grandchildren—Lucy Norris, Aiden Erickson, Collin and Claire Motsenbocker, Maya and Max Bahr, and Wyatt and Ellie Lord.

She is also survived by her brother-in-law Robert (Judith) Ulseth and sister-in-law, Nancy Stefan, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family of Ruby Ulseth would like to thank the nurses and staff of Atomic Home Health for their care and support over the last three years.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Ruby at her home on November 2, 2-4 pm.  9203 Vincenzo Drive, Pasco, Washington.  In the meantime, she’s going fishing with her Jimmy!

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Ruby K. Ulseth

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  • Ruby Dean, you were my second Mom. Love you and missing you so much.
    10/27/24
    Remer MN

    Nancy Stefan
    October 27, 2024
    nancystefan46@gmail.com
  • Ruby Dean, you were my second Mom. Loving and missing you so much.

    Nancy Stefan
    October 27, 2024
    Remer, Minnesota
  • Mom,

    You were a wonderful mother and so full of love, advice, and fun! We will miss you so much but are happy to know that you are with Dad again.

    Denise Motsenbocker
    October 27, 2024
    Pasco
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