Ruth A. Gudschinsky

1918 - 2011

Longtime Fairbanks resident Ruth Ardis (Hawkins) Gudschinsky, 92, passed away at Denali Center Sunday, March 20, 2011.
Ruth was born in Ontario, Ore., June 27, 1918, to Ellsworth Lee Hawkins and Ruth (Bennett) Hawkins. Ruth came of age as the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl gripped the nation. They forged her strength and sense of adventure. At 16, she opened a restaurant, the first of many adventures.
In Oregon, she met and married Wendell Neff and they traveled the West Coast in search of work and opportunity. They picked fruit in California and hops in Oregon. They worked where they could find it. Eventually they landed in Arizona and Wendell found work in the gold mines. There they began their family and stayed until World War II broke out. The gold mines were shut down as nonessential to the war effort, so they moved the family to Oregon to work in the shipyards.
Ruth became an apprentice shipfitter and helped build small aircraft carriers that were shipped to the Atlantic to protect the Allied convoys. At the war's end, the shipyards were closed and the family again cast about for work and adventure. China was considered, but unrest there led them to choose Alaska.
The year before their departure, Fairbanks suffered one of the sweeping fires that destroyed much of the city center. They questioned the wisdom of heading north. But when spring rolled around, the Alaska Highway was opened to the public for the first time and they left for adventure.
Ruth and Wendell, with their friends JC and Vivian Bewley, arrived in Fairbanks on June 27, 1948. Both couples drove 1930s cars pulling Airstream Trailers. They bought land and set about building a large shell over both trailers to weather the harsh winter of 1948-'49.
Like many others of the time, they literally helped build Fairbanks. They worked at Ladd Field, built houses, apartments and businesses.
Ruth divorced and later married John Gudschinsky in 1953. Ruth and John owned and operated several businesses including apartments, Fairbanks Radio & Repair (later Alaska TV) and Fairbanks Unfinished Furniture. She managed her apartments into her late 70s.
Ruth strived to live an expansive life. Throughout her life she maintained her love of travel and adventure. She drove the Alaska Highway 14 times, and traveled throughout the United States, Canada and Alaska. Ruth was a strong advocate for women and women's rights, and always supported kids and their aspirations.
Ruth was preceded in death by her daughter, Judy Neff Blair; first husband, Wendell Neff Sr.; second husband, John Gudschinsky; sister, Lois Bennett; and brother, Paul Armstrong,
Ruth is survived by sisters, Carol Westfall of Idaho and Joan Whitlow of Arizona; sons, Lyle Neff of Texas, Wendell Neff Jr., Richard Neff, Mark Gudschinsky and Steven Gudschinsky; daughter, Cheryl Courtney of Alaska; granddaughters, Elicia Neff, Christie Neff, Jill Neff, Valery Neff, Lanet Spencer, Kambriea Hibpshman, Kaleah Neff, Marney Osborn, Coley Brett-Diaz, Margret Courtney, Laura Gudschinsky Shandalee Gudschinsky and Kimberly Chisholm; grandsons, Kevin Blair, Kenny Blair, Lyle Neff II, Frank Neff, Justin Neff, Kedrik Neff, Ryan Brett, Ross Courtney, Alexander Gudschinsky and Chad Gudschinsky; numerous great-grandchildren; and great-great-grandchildren.
A service will be held at 3:30 p.m., Friday, April 8, at Chapel of the Chimes. The Rev. Scott Fisher will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ruth's name to Quota International of Fairbanks.
Arrangements were entrusted to Chapel of Chimes Funeral Home.