Ruth Elaine Jutila Chamberlin

Ruth Elaine Jutila Chamberlin was born in Rock Lake, North Dakota on February 21, 1938 to Lillian and Eino Jutila and died in Vancouver, WA on September 8, 2025 at the age of 87. She spent her early years in North Dakota and Hibbing, Minnesota before the family moved to Vancouver, Washington in 1950. Her parents bought and managed the Park Apartments across the street from Esther Short Park. Ruth graduated from Fort Vancouver in 1956. She married Burt Chamberlin in June 1958 at St Paul Lutheran Church and they both attended Seattle Pacific College.

Ruth and Burt adopted eight children, and while Ruth did some teaching, her main focus was on her family and her writing. She wrote articles for newspapers and authored two fiction books, based on her Finnish heritage. Her faith was very important to her until the day she died, and she lived her life accordingly, always gracious, loving and kind.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Eino and Lillian Jutila; husband, Burt; brother, Calvin; and sister-in-law, Jacquie Jutila. She is survived by her children Jordan (Inno), Jamie, Lindsey Horton (Tim), Tucker (Cela), Ben, Anna Howard, Sherry, and Katie Gutierrez (Michael); grandchildren Curtis, Jasmin, Makayla, Jacob, Justin, Joseph, Hailey, Hannah, Jacob, Izaiah, Ruth, Errol, and Esme, and great-grandchildren, Caleb and Cameron; brothers, Morris Jutila and Dale Jutila (Barb); sister-in-law, Teresa Arden; nieces, a nephew, great-nieces and nephews, cousins; and many long-time friends.

A memorial service will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 11:00 am, Monday, October 13, 2025.