Ruth DeChand

1930 - 2024

Ruth DeChand
December 6, 1930 - November 26, 2024
Ruth J. (Harper) DeChand passed away at home in Wenatchee on November 26, 2024 at the young age of 93.
Ruth was born December 6, 1930 at her parents' homestead in Strahl Canyon, Douglas County, Washington (Northwest of Grand Coulee Dam) to parents, Byron Edwin Harper and Mildred Christy (Pendell) Harper. Ruth's paternal grandfather, George W. Harper, had homesteaded 320 acres there and her father, Byron, who was the youngest of seven boys, raised his family there. Byron and Mildred's first child, Chester, died at two and a half months and is buried at the Delrio cemetery beside his grandparents there, George W. Harper and Lillias Amelia (Edes) Harper. Ruth was the second child born at home. Ruth became the oldest sister and ringleader to six more siblings born at home: Goldie, Lester, Gene, Hazel, Shirley, and George. Ruth started school at a one room schoolhouse at the age of five, graduating from Mason City (Grand Coulee) High School in 1947 at the age of 16. She lived away from the homestead while going to high school by working for room and board in and around Grand Coulee in various Doctors' homes who were brought into the area during the dam construction.
After high school she continued to work for neighbors and families in the area; cooking during wheat harvest, assisting with children and aging parents until in early 1950, Ruth and sister, Goldie, enrolled in the Wenatchee Business College. They shared an apartment in Wenatchee where they met two young brothers down the hall. One evening the oldest brother knocked on their apartment door to ask Goldie to go out. Instead, he had to settle for Ruth because her sister could not go that evening. Once he realized Ruth liked to hunt and fish, and was a good cook, Alfred DeChand was 'hooked'. It only took one date for him to know she was the one. Ruth Harper was married in November of 1950 in Wenatchee and shared their future together. Ruth and Al's life took them on many adventures; from logging in Montana, working for Boeing in Renton, WA, and learning how to be a successful orchardist in Wenatchee. Along the way, they welcomed two daughters; Renee (Norling) and Michelle (Smith). No matter what the adventure was, Ruth always found a way to make it work and never gave up. Ruth was a strong-willed person of many talents. She was a sharpshooter, seamstress, bookkeeper, gardener, poet, an artist, a teacher, and could make a home anywhere out of anything (including an elk tent). She was her family's biggest cheerleader in any event whether it was catching your first fish or winning a softball championship. She was a blonde and blue eyed, five-foot-tall ball of energy. Ruth and Al enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping all of their lives. Al played guitar and both loved to sing country western, which made for many late nights full of music, dancing, many great memories with family and friends. They were a pair that drew friends easily into their lives and Ruth made sure there was always a pot of coffee and cookies ready, always an empty spot at the table for anyone who came to visit. If you were anywhere near Ruth, you'll have a picture in her annual photo albums...one for each year since 1950. Ruth is survived by her sister, Goldie Kass (Elizabeth PA); her daughters, Renee Norling (East Wenatchee), Michelle and Rod Smith (Wenatchee); and grandchildren, Jared and Teah Smith (Wenatchee), and Sarah and Jackson Reed (Leander TX), and her faithful and loving Holly. She will be greatly missed, but her stories will live forever.
Special thanks to dear friends who came to care for Ruth in the last days; Aracelli Rock and Bill Welch, and Val Smith. Also, we are so grateful for Bruce and Matt Bergy who worked so hard and made it possible for Ruth and Al to enjoy a beautiful new home in their final years on earth.
There will be a graveside service at Wenatchee City Cemetery on Wednesday, December 11th at 11 a.m. Arrangements are by Jones and Jones – Betts Funeral Home, Wenatchee.