Ruth Holmstrom

Ruth Holmstrom fought hard to conquer cancer, but lost the battle June 16, 2014. She was born at home, on a farm, in Pontotoc County, Oklahoma, September 18, 1933. This was during the Depression as well as the Dust Bowl - "the worst hard times." She picked cotton at the age of four and lived without running water until she left home. She started school at the age of four and was spanked the first day for not paying attention. She had one pair of shoes and that was a pair of work boots. She was dropped off at college with no money and told to get an education. She received a degree in education with a certificate to teach Home Economics from Oklahoma University. Ruth married Charles Holmstrom, June 13, 1964, and moved to Saudi Arabia where we lived for two years. In 1966 we moved to Midland where she taught school for 29 years at San Jacinto and retired while teaching at Lee High School in 1991. While teaching, she received her masters at Texas Tech and became the most educated person in her family. She always amazed me how she could remember her students first and last names, what class they were in and sometimes their parents' names from 29 years ago. In fact, the admitting nurse before she died had her in junior high and told her she gave her a 100% on a dress she had made in her class. She sewed almost all of our clothes until I left home for college. She loved to paint and draw and has many houses filled with her art. I, Mary Jane Morris am her only child and I feel privileged to have had such a beautiful, smart, talented mother who worked hard to make a great life for herself and family. Ruth and Charles learned to snow ski, were avid sailors, and the owners of four different boats. They loved to travel and meet new people. They were married 50 years June 13, 2014. She is survived by her companion, friend, and husband, Charles Holmstrom; her daughter, Mary Jane Morris, and husband, Gene Puhrmann; her granddaughters, Aletia Ligon and Lesley Puhrmann; her great grandchildren, Jake and Dallas Ligon; and her grandson-in-law, Eric Ligon; sisters, Martha Jane White and Mary Elizabeth Ward; and brother, Kerby Rankin. The things I will miss most are her beautiful smile, Christmas in her house, her wisdom, and thoughtfulness of other people. She will be missed by many. In lieu of flowers, donate to Hospice Midland, PO Box 2621, Midland, Texas 79702 or a charity of your choice. The family will have a celebration of her life in their home Saturday from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com.