Ruth Ann Marie Springer

02/19/1934 - 04/23/2011

SPRINGER, Ruth Ann Marie
"Penny" (Age 77)

Ruth Ann Marie "Penny" Springer passed away peacefully on April 23, 2011, in Richland, WA, at age 77. Penny was born on February 19, 1934 to parents John and Edna (Nelson) Tufto in Noonan, North Dakota. Penny lived in North Dakota until age seven when she moved with her family to a farm just west of Spokane, WA. She attended Arlington, Great Northern and Groving grade schools. Mom graduated from Lewis & Clark High School in January 1952, where she was a majorette. She received her nurse's aide training at Lewis & Clark High School.

She met her future husband, Donald R. Springer in April 1950 at a dance and they were married in Spokane on March 8, 1952. Her husband was in the US Navy so they were off to California, later to Great Lakes, IL and then back to San Diego, CA.

Upon Don's discharge in February 1955 they lived in Seattle, Colbert, Clayton, Deer Park, Oroville, Yakima and finally in Prosser. They continued to make Prosser their home for the past 43 years. All four of their children graduated from Prosser High School.

Penny was a Den Mother, Camp Fire Leader, and an avid bowler, participating in all state and some national tournaments. Mom worked as a nurse's aide, a grocery checker, a receptionist in a doctor's office, and at Sehnert's Bakery in Prosser. Mom was a wonderful homemaker. She enjoyed gardening and sewing outfits for the grandkids. Mom also taught all her granddaughters how to make the traditional Norwegian lefse. She dearly loved her children, and grandchildren, great-grandchildren and helping other folks.

After Dad's retirement, Mom and Dad embarked on a genealogy project. They enjoyed all the travel, researching and interviewing relatives and especially, any time their trips took them anywhere near Nevada so they could get their casino fix.

Penny is survived by her husband Donald of 59 years, two sons, Steve (Bev) Springer (Chris, Greg, Jenny) of Yakima, and Dale Springer (Quentin, Dalen) of Yakima; two daughters, Cindy (Paul) Cross (Nate, Sarah, Laura) of Richland, and Susan (Joel) Stephens (Jeff, Adam, Jessica) (Jennifer, Brittney, Courtney, Amy, Jordan, Tyler) of St. Johnsbury, VT. Penny is also survived in total by 11 grandchildren, six stepgrandchildren and five great-grandchildren (Avery, Amelia, Aiden, Hannah and Lelia).

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Edna Tufto, and two brothers, Duane and Swede Tufto.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Lower Valley Bowling Association or the Tri-Cities Cancer Center, care of Prosser Funeral Home, 1220 Sheridan Ave, Prosser, WA 99350.

Viewing will be held Friday, April 29, 2011, from 4-8pm at PROSSER FUNERAL HOME. Memorial Service will be held Saturday, April 30th at 11am at the Prosser Funeral Home followed by an interment at East Prosser Cemetery. Afterwards, please join the family for a reception at the Prosser Senior Center, 1231 Dudley Ave.