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Ruth Outwater Obituary
The Kotzebue memorial will be held at 10 a.m. today at the Friends Church in Kotzebue. A potluck will follow. A funeral will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Central Lutheran Church, 1420 Cordova St., in Anchorage. A potluck will follow.
Ruth was born Sept. 27, 1916, in Shungnak, to John and Lily Savok. She was the third oldest of the children. Her older siblings were James Savok and Ida Watt. Ruth's younger siblings were Anna Thomas, Fred Savok, Lydia Glasshoff, Rachel Dimmick, Joshua Savok and Irene Armstrong.
She and Walter Outwater were married in Candle in September 1938. She lived with her husband in Deering and moved between Deering and Nome, where Walter worked on the gold dredge in summertime. In 1948, they decided to settle in Deering, where they would later become store managers. In the mid 1950s, Ruth and her parents supported her husband in becoming a pastor for Friends Church. Ruth was very active and influential as the pastor's wife of the church.
"Ruth lived a rich and fulfilling life," her family wrote. She made all of the clothing for the family, making sure all her children and her husband had new mukluks and parkas every Christmas. Ruth loved to cook, worked on all the animals her husband harvested and put away food for all seasons to make sure her family was always well fed.
"Church was her life. Ruth's entire life was spent serving God. No matter where she was, she never missed having Sunday school, even in the tent when the family was camping. Ruth, beloved wife of late Walter Outwater and a loving mother, grandmother and great-great grandmother, will be missed by all who knew her. May the Lord bless her, and may she rest in peace."
Ruth is survived by her two sisters, Rachel Dimmick of Anchorage and Irene Armstrong of Buckland; seven children, Theresa Pierce, Loretta Cox and husband Skip, Richard Outwater and wife Sandy, Clara Varieur and husband Thom, Peggy Turner and husband Tim, Martha Outwater and Rahn Parker, and Walter Outwater Jr.; and many grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by three children, Mamie Savok, Walter Johnson Outwater and Evelyn MacNeven; and her beloved husband of 67 years, Walter Emuk Outwater.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Ruth Outwater
Myrtle Thomas
April 22, 2009
Our family loved Auntie Ruth so much. Getting close to Mother's Day, I pray that her children and grandchildren will be comforted. She worked hard for the Lord and reached her goal. I Peter 5:7
The Swan's
April 21, 2009
Ruth will always be remembered as a dedicated woman of God, and she will be missed dearly by all those who were fortunate to know her. May our Lord and Saviour continually have his blessing fall.
Sandy Outwater
April 21, 2009
My heart fills with happiness when I think of Ruth and how God put her in my path when I needed her most. As a child she showed me love and provided a sense of belonging and acceptance that I so desperately craved. I remember her patience in explaining things to me, her laughter, her singing songs of praise and her love for God. I was so grateful in later years to be able to spend more time with Ruth, to listen to her life stories, to marvel at her strength and devotion to God. I loved her beautiful hands that she used to express her creativity and to feed and clothe her family. I loved her beautiful voice that she used to sing praises, tell stories and encourage. I loved the way she would offer comfort, how she would pray for others and with them. I loved her laughter and the way she would laugh at herself when she thought she was taking herself too seriously. I loved her friendliness and generosity. I loved her enthusiasm, her delight in learning and having new experiences. I loved the way she would look at life with such gratitude despite the many trials. I value so much the things she taught me just by watching her. Sometimes now I catch myself in an action or a thought and I know where I learned it and I am filled with such happiness and joy as my cup runneth over. I feel God’s Love so clearly in my gratitude for giving me Ruth as my wonderful teacher.
Cheryl McDowell (Dimmick)
April 3, 2009
To my aunties, uncles and cousins - Outwater Family,
The few memories i have of my auntie ruth still brings a smile to my face. All of your hearts must be filled to brim with precious memories. Relive them all and smile everyday.
God Bless - Cherylann
Richard Calamari
March 30, 2009
For the sort time Ruth attended the center she made her mark on the clients and staff. I know I received more than I was able to give. We here at Fairbanks Resource Agency offer our sincere condolences to all who knew her. We ALL have been enriched.
lincoln riley
March 30, 2009
thanks to all who have honored my grandmother her and adaata walter always made sure that God and his words were always a part of our lives, angels rejoicing another of hes children has been called home thank u all lincoln and cindi riley boyboy
Mamie Karmun
March 29, 2009
To the family and friends of Ruth, I will always remember when we went to church Ruth would always let go up and sing even those of us who cannot carry a tune, especially me to save my soul. Uncle Walter and Ruth was such strong leaders in the Friends Church. They are both sorely missed by everyone. I know they are both reunited up in Heaven. My deepest condolences to the family. Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Mamie "Chuck" Augustina and family
Nora " Edith" Thomas
March 28, 2009
I love Ahna Ruth so much. Her and my Grandma nora had a great sense of humor and made everyone laugh. they were so cute together. I am going to miss her so much. she was a great role model for me. I want to say I love you so much ahna Ruth.
Carole Huntington
March 28, 2009
I remember at a Friends Church conference when someone gave their life to Jesus she stood up and sang 'ring the bells of heaven, there is joy today'. Such a dear sweet lady but yet bold in sharing Christ. She was a distant ' RALATIVE' of mine as my grandma Nora Ahwinona would say. I feel like singing that song now as she is certainly enjoying her reward, praising her savior with a clear mind. Carole Carlson Huntington, Galena Alaska.
betty bell
March 28, 2009
Need to share this story with the family, I wanted to learn to speak eskimo so i took a class & Ruth was the instructor. I wanted to surprise my parents. When I went over to my parents house I would practice with them. My dad use to chuckle when I pronounce the words i had learned and finally after a few days I asked my mom why he always giggle at me when i say some words. She said in Shishmaref-mute way it's pin, in Kotzebue way it pic or peach the meanings are a little different. Dad asked me who the teacher was & i responded Ruth Outwater, he thought a little & said ee-ah & chuckled again. Later I found out he always had fun visiting with Walter & Ruth. Mom said they always made them laugh all the time. When I told Ruth how my dad responds to the new words i learned, she respond eee-eh say something really fast in eskimo & start laughing. Sorry can't be there for you all but your mom was the best. When in Kotzebue for guard weekends & go to church both ruth & walter always made sure you felt like their child & share the love of god with anyone. When i saw her she use to smile and say eee-eh. Betty Bell-currently deployed in Kosovo
Tillie Moore
March 28, 2009
To the family of Ruth, your mom was always so nice and would ask how I was and she would touch my hand and give me her precious smile. What a wonderful lady, she was. I'm so thankful I knew her.
March 27, 2009
Our family was blessed when Ruth held our baby daughter for her baptism in 1977 at Noorvik. We were further blessed when Ruth's sister, Rachel sang during the loss of our sister. The smile of Walter and Ruth will never, never leave our memory. Sincere sympathy to the family.
Sam, Nita Towarak and family, Unalakleet
Elsie Eckman
March 27, 2009
I will always remember her as a quiet woman of deep faith, and my Mom (Flora Karmun's) best friend. May the Lord comfort Ruth's family. Love & prayers.
ANNA MOON
March 27, 2009
MY THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU ALL SENT ME A EMAIL LOVE YOU ALL COZ ANNA MOON
Roberta Moto
March 27, 2009
God Bless her family, remember seeing her every quaterly meeting when I was young. Love from Roberta (Karmun) Moto and family in Deering, AK
lottie tickett
March 27, 2009
my thoughts and prayers are with the relatives of ruth. she was a good influence and good role model for many of us. she goes to church in her wheel chair which was a good rememberance to me and if i ever get to that age i'll remember her and do as she did following jesus even in wheel chair. she will be praising the lord in heaven with the angels.
Gloria Brown
March 27, 2009
My thughts are with all who love Ruth so very much. Her graduation should be selebrated with joy. God is the greatest to all who serve Him. My Love and Hugs to you all closest to Ruth. Your friend Gloria (David )Brown
Agatha Karmun
March 27, 2009
Sorry to hear of the passing of Ruth, the family is in my thoughts and prayers. Wishing we weren't so far away. Take care and God Bless.
Helena Dimmick-Mark
March 27, 2009
My condolences to the families. It is so hard to lose someone close.
Arlene Nuglene & kids
March 27, 2009
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends in this time of loss. May God Bless and keep all of you.
Mardy Hanson
March 27, 2009
Sending our deepest condolences to the family of Ruth. We had the most wonderful pleasure of meeting her in 2005 where she and her sisters provided spiritual support to all of us while our "Dad" was in ICU at ANMC. Her strong faith and belief in God could be seen in everything about her. We were very honored to have met her. How wonderful it must be to be singing along with the heavenly Angels, her family & friends. May God bless all of you and provide strength and comfort during this time.
Cheryl Thomas
March 27, 2009
Aana Ruth's family God will be with you during your time of need. She is now in Heaven with Taata Walter and all her family including my Grandma Nora. They will be waiting for us in heaven to be with them when our time comes. She was welcome us all in her arms as God welcomed her into heaven recently. When you're sad just look up to heaven and know that she is watching over us all with our families and God. God blessed us with Aana Ruth for the time she was here and for those of us who knew her with her presence.
Carmen Sears
March 27, 2009
My grandparents were the late Evans & Flora Karmun of Deering. My parents were the late Jim & Dorcas Sears of North Pole.
June Kugelmann
March 27, 2009
To the family of Ruth Outwater:
Your mother was a great person not only in daily family life but with her Christian life as well! I liked working with her in Nome in the late 60's and got to know your family and I value that time greatly. God be with you at this time!
Carolyn Boskofsky
March 27, 2009
To all family,
Ruth had a very bubbly personality. She was an inspiration to all. Ruth & Walter were serving as pastors of the Anc Friends Church when I first met them in the late 70's. My cousin and I were very, very young and she took us under her wings. I will never forget Walter and Ruth. They meant a lot to me. I had mixed emotions when I heard of her death. Ruth was very well prepared to leave us and go to be with her Lord and Savior for ETERNITY. It is painfull to lose a family member but I hope this tho't will help you. She is singing (which she loves to do) and just rejoicing in heaven. She will not be sad or in pain, she will be young and she will have a new name. I've heard her mentioned this many times before. Ali SHG/ANC
Eleanor and John Claus
March 27, 2009
We will always remember with thanks to God for our dear
friend in Christ, Ruth Outwater! It will be a joy to meet again in heaven! We pray for God's comfort and peace for all of
her loved ones and friends.
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