Ruth Elaine Fenison

Ruth Elaine (Swartz) Fenison, 87, Riverside, WA, passed through the veil to see Jesus and join her ever-lovin' husband Joe on May 11, 2022. She was born in Tekoa, Washington on January 16, 1935 to Pastor Daniel and Louise Swartz. Raised in Eastern Washington, Ruth graduated from Oroville High School. She married Bobbie Joe Fenison in Chewelah, WA on September 3, 1954 and earned her LPN nursing license in 1972.
Ruth lived up to her name of "Faithful Friend," raising her three children while also serving as pastor's wife, later working as an LPN, operating two adult family homes with her husband Joe, leading Omak Senior Center as President for five years, and working in the children's ministry at Cornerstone Fellowship.
A champion in hospitality, Ruth loved adding a dessert after every meal, a candy dish on the counter, or a bowl of nuts to the game table. The first word visitors could expect on entering her home was, "Would you like something to drink? Cookie or brownie?"
Ruth was a prayer warrior, praying daily for her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren every single morning and evening, praying them through many, many storms. She was the rock of stability in the family, remembering birthdays, appointments, and serving wonderful food every chance possible to bring family together.
Ruth Elaine Fenison is survived by one brother, Warren Swartz, Coeur d'Alene, ID; one daughter Roberta (Fenison) Donnor of Vancouver, WA; two sons, Burton (Jim) Fenison of Morton, WA, and Steven Fenison of Okanogan, WA; twelve grandchildren, and fifteen great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband Joe Fenison, her parents, two sisters, one brother, and one grandchild, Benjamin Fenison.
An open-casket memorial service will be held for Ruth Elaine Fenison at River Valley Funeral Home, Omak, WA, at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 4, 2022 (2547 Elmway St, Okanogan, WA 98840). Public is welcome.
We're considering a last "Dinner at Ruth's Table" afterward at about 3pm on June 4th, and need RSVPs to know which venue to choose, anywhere from 25 to 80 people. Please message Roberta in the next few days at 509.557.5992 to let us know if you can join us and remember Ruth's amazing hospitality one last time together. Thank you. Bless you all.