Ruth Ann Alamshah

1924 - 2009

With a mixture of gratitude and sadness we announce the passing of Ruth "Bun" Alamshah who entered into the loving arms of the God she knew so well on Thursday, Dec. 10, at the age of 85.

Ruth was born March 9, 1924 in Waukesha, Wis. to Alma and Edward Boehmke. She was the second of six children who grew up in a large, noisy house filled with activity and fun. A straight "A" student, Ruth graduated from Michael Reese Hospital School of Nursing in Chicago in 1946 and worked as a courier nurse on the Santa Fe Railroad between Chicago and Los Angeles. It was there she met Ted Alamshah, a dining car steward who captured her heart with elegant food (fine food was one of her favorite things) and quick wit. They married in Chicago on Aug. 5, 1947, where she gave birth to her only child, a daughter, Diane, in 1950. They made their home in Canoga Park in the San Fernando Valley.

Ruth worked tirelessly as a nursing supervisor and head nurse of the medical/surgical unit at Encino Hospital for 32 years. A wonderful nurse, she was calm and committed to everyone under her care. She made many treasured friends there and was well respected for her remarkable intelligence, wonderful temperament and truly unique sense of humor.

These were the things Bun loved the most: dogs, all dogs, she never met a dog she didn't think was marvelous. She loved fine food and eating out, and trees and birds and flowers of all kinds, and big barbecues with laughter and jovial banter between people. She loved to gamble. She loved the warmth of the sun, gentle breezes and was grateful for the things of nature that God provided.

At her request, there will be no services.

Little Bun leaves behind her daughter, Diane "Deva" Skiles (dog Maggie Mae) of Ventura; granddaughter, Lisa (Ron) Smith and great-grandson, Thomas "TJ" Smith of Le Claire Iowa. Preceded in death by her sister, Georgiann Dahms, she will be missed by her brother, Edward (Kathy) Boehmke and sister, Francis Kawatski of Waukesha, Wis., brother, Daniel Boehmke (Cheryl) of Wisconsin Dells, Wis., and sister, Mary Jane Schley (Gordon) of Port Orchard, Wash. Also brother-in-law, Robert Dahms of Milwaukee, Wis. and many nieces, nephews and cousins and their families.

Thanks for the special love so freely given by her dear friends Carolyn, Dan Lengel of Bellingham, Wash., Bernadette Brown of Ventura and Anita Plant of Port Hueneme.

Special thanks to the "special angels" at Victoria Care Center who truly do God's work.

Ruth has been entrusted to the care of the family owned Joseph Reardon Funeral Home, Ventura; 643-8623.