Ruth Martha Grew
Former Snoqualmie Valley resident Ruth Grew died September 3, 2015 at her home in Maple Valley, WA, at age 88. Ruth lived in North Bend for more than 50 years.
Ruth was born to Alex and Martha Schaffer, February 9, 1927 in Sinneringen, Bern, Switzerland. Growing up, she loved long walks with her parents and brother Hugo.
Ruth learned to play the accordion at an early age. She acted and sang in local plays, landing the lead role in “Vreneli,” a highlight of her young adult years.
She graduated from a 3-year business college, Kantonale Handelsschule Bern, served an apprenticeship at Kaiser AG, and worked at firms in Zurich and Bern.
Ruth met Snoqualmie Valley native William Grew, when Bill visited his aunt in the fall of 1949 in Stettlen, Switzerland. Living next door to Bill’s aunt, 22-year-old Ruth Schaffer caught Bill’s eye. Bill and Ruth married November 24, 1949 in Stettlen. Shortly afterward, Ruth traveled with her husband back to America. For years they made their home on the family dairy farm in North Bend, which today is known as the Nintendo property. Bill and Ruth were blessed with three sons while living on the farm. In 1959 the Grews moved into town, and Ruth gave birth to a daughter in 1960. The family was most important to Ruth and Bill.
After the kids grew older, Ruth landed the first job she applied for in America, as a librarian with Snoqualmie Valley School District. She started at Fall City Elementary for a couple years, then spent 17 years at North Bend Elementary. Ruth and Bill participated in many Swiss cultural events in the western U.S.; Ruth also performed solo gigs in Washington state, playing her accordion and yodeling.
Upon retirement Ruth and Bill enjoyed traveling, gardening, and spending time together on Vashon Island, where they built a vacation home in the 1980s.
In 1992 Bill lost his life to cancer. Ruth’s faith in God kept her strong through her heartbreaking loss. She made her final trip to Switzerland in 2008 when she attended her 65-year high school class reunion. In recent years Ruth continued her love of knitting, reading, writing, and trying out new recipes. She was active on Facebook and had fun reconnecting with many of her former library students.
Ruth is survived by her children, William; Hugh (Ingrid); Daryl; Shirley; and granddaughter Alyssa.
A memorial celebration will take place Sunday, October 25, at 1:30 pm at the Meadowbrook Interpretive Center. The family suggests remembrances be made to the Snoqualmie Valley Historical Society.
