Ruth Anna Benton, 97 years old, went to be with her Lord & Savior on September 4, 2014, at Kennewick, WA.

Ruth was born on October 28, 1916 in Waterbury, Nebraska to Charles Wesley and Allie Emma Herrick. On December 11, 1936 she married the love of her life, Lawrence Harold Benton in Waterbury, Nebraska. Ruth & Lawrence lived in Waterbury & Allen, Nebraska until moving to Carnation, WA in 1951. In 1988, she and Lawrence moved to East Wenatchee to be near their daughter and lived there until 2009 when Ruth moved to Canyon Lakes Rehabilitation in Kennewick to be near her son. Ruth was a homemaker most of her life until her children were nearly grown and then she became the head cook for the Carnation/Tolt School District for many years. Then she began a new career in the banking industry where she was active until her retirement in 1984.

Ruth was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Lawrence, her parents, sister and brother, her loving grandson, Thomas Benton, granddaughter Carol Benton and two infant grandsons.

Ruth is survived by her children: David (Joanne) Benton, Bert (Patti) Benton and Lois (Earl) Pickering. Her eight grandchildren: Terri (Darrel) Weldon, Jodi (Kevin) Strum, Cory Benton, Jeff (Lynn) Benton, Janel (Todd) Woodhouse, Dena (Michael) Allen, Brenda (Rich) Pickering Barrington, and Sara (Jak) Green. Seventeen great-grandchildren: Zachary (Kelly) Weldon, Jeremy Weldon, Trenton (Ivonne) Strum, Travis Strum, Luke & Davis Benton, Kyle, Brady & Zackary Benton, Brooke, Trent & Toren Woodhouse, Madison and Kaitlin Allen, Sanjay and Solvae Green and Derrek Barrington and one great-great- granddaughter: Enola Barrington.

Ruth was a loving wife and strong helpmate and partner to Lawrence for 67 years. She was a good and loving mother who will be remembered for her love of reading, knitting, love of family and strength of character.

A graveside service will be held Thursday, September 11, 2014, at 2:00 pm. at Evergreen Memorial Park. Arrangements are by Telford’s Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee.