Ruth Elizabeth DeArmond Estelle

Lifelong Alaska resident Ruth Elizabeth DeArmond Estelle died Dec. 8, 2013, at the Palmer Veterans and Pioneers Home, surrounded by family members. She was in her 102nd year. Ruth was raised in Sitka, daughter of R. W. and Elizabeth DeArmond. She attended Oregon State College, earning a degree in Home Economics and was a member of Phi Kappa Phi, the scholastic honor society. She did graduate study in dietetics at University of Michigan.

In 1936, she was hired by the Extension Service to serve as Home Demonstration Agent in the Matanuska Valley, assisting homesteaders, settlers and Colony families improve their domestic lives. She helped organize Valley women into Homemakers Clubs and instructed them in ways to preserve wild and homegrown foods, demonstrated sewing, cooking, balanced meal preparation and provided guidance to children’s 4-H clubs. Ruth helped construct the United Protestant “Church of a Thousand Trees” and served it faithfully throughout her life. She also served as the first secretary of the Matanuska Valley Agricultural and Industrial Fair Assoc. Inc., now the Alaska State Fair.

In 1938, she married Howard Estelle and in 1941 they began farming in Spenard. In 1949, they moved to the Bailey family Colony farm north of Palmer, where they operated a dairy, raised vegetables and seven children. Over many years, Ruth served as a Cub Scout Den Mother, 4-H Leader, Sunday School Teacher and was active in her Homemakers Club and Ladies Aid society. She also operated a flower and gift shop in downtown Palmer.

Ruth’s volunteer activities were recognized when the Pioneers of Alaska crowned her Queen of Pioneer Igloo No. 13 and Auxiliary No. 11 in 1980, the state of Alaska bestowed the Governor’s Award for Friends of Families in 1984, and the Alaska State Fair Board recognized her in 1996 for her years of active contributions to the fair.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Harriett Ellis of Palmer; brother Bob DeArmond of Sitka; her husband; and her son, Jim.

She’s survived by sons, Bob of Colorado, Don of Washington, Richard and Bill of Palmer; daughters, Beth Holt and Dorothy Leonard of Palmer; and Jim’s widow, Adela of Anchorage. She also leaves nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Her family wishes to thank the Palmer Veterans and Pioneers Home staff for the excellent care Ruth received during her stay there. A memorial service is planned at a date to be announced.

Arrangements where entrusted to Kehl’s Palmer Mortuary.