Eveline Ruhberg, 91

Eveline F. Ruhberg, 91, passed away Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010, at Boundary Community Hospital in Bonners Ferry.

A funeral service was held Tuesday at Bonners Ferry Funeral Home.

Eveline was born Nov. 21, 1918, in Ponderay and moved with her parents, Earl A. and Villa Railsback Cook to Copeland in December of the same year.

Both Earl and Villa had five children from previous marriages, nine of which were raised and on their own when Eveline and her family moved to Copeland. One stepbrother, Charles Cook, moved with the family; another daughter, Adeline, was born in 1921.

Eveline attended school at Copeland.

In 1938, she married John H. Ruhberg. They built their home on the North Bench and lived there all but two years of their married life.

Eveline and John worked at the Casey Ranch for about five years before establishing their own sawmill at the North Bench farm. They raised much of their own food, hauling water for 25 years before a community water system was installed.

Eveline moved to the Ace Elder Care in March 2007 and Boundary County Nursing Home in February 2008.

Eveline was active with Boundary County Extension clubs and Country Women’s Extension Club, instrumental in forming North Bench Volunteer Fire Association and one of the founders of the Boundary County Museum.

She gave countless hours to organizing the local museum and publishing of the History of Boundary County. For a more complete history of Eveline and her pioneering spirit, visit the Boundary County Museum.

Eveline was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, parents and siblings.

She is survived by numerous nieces, nephews and many friends.

Honorariums could be made in her name to the museum.

Family and friends may sign Eveline’s online guest book at www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com. Bonners Ferry Funeral Home handled arrangements.