Ruth M. Besst, 91, Lewiston


Ruth M. Besst, 91, of Lewiston passed away Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2002, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Lewiston.

She was born March 7, 1911, to George Christian and Tamsey Shawver in Lyons, Neb. In 1926 she graduated from Blackbird High School, a rural school in Burt County, Neb. She graduated from Wayne State Teachers College in Wayne, Neb., in 1927.

Ruth taught at a small school on an Omaha Indian reservation in Nebraska for one year before she married Dale E. Besst July 31, 1928, in Onawa, Iowa. The couple farmed in Nebraska until 1937, when they moved to farm land in Princeton. In 1952, they moved to Lewiston, where Dale was employed as an electrician for Potlatch Corp. After most of her children were raised, Ruth sold Tupperware beginning in 1960. She was the manager for regional sales personnel and made many friends in this occupation.

Dale passed away Feb. 23, 1994. Ruth continued to live in Lewiston, driving and maintaining her own home until age 90, when she moved to Wedgwood Terrace Care Center in Lewiston.

She was an avid crocheter with an artful knack for colors. Her afghans were appreciated by each of her family members. She was well known for her homemade pies and hospitality. No one ever left her table hungry. She looked forward to the Shawver family picnic in Harvard every June.

She was a member of the Princeton Club and the Princeton Grange. Since 1953 she was a member of Orchards Community Church in Lewiston, serving as president of the church's Ladies Aid Society. She lived independently.

Ruth's immediate and extended family were the most important things in her life. She is survived by her children, David Besst of Peck, Virginia Cochrane of Lewiston, Janet VanBuskirk of East Wenatchee, Wash., Crystal Wadsworth of Westminster, Calif., and Jewell Larrabee of Winchester; sister, Jeanne Renz of Potlatch, Idaho; 15 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews who were special to her.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; five sisters; five brothers; two daughters; a grandson; a great-grandson; and two great-great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Mountain View Funeral Home in Lewiston. Pastor Mark Brewster of Orchards Community Church will officiate.

Friends and family may visit at the funeral home from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday or from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.