Ruth Stevens Palm Lynch, 80

Ruth Stevens Palm Lynch passed away peacefully from pulmonary complications on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012. She was born Nov. 2, 1932, in Clarkston, Wash., to Lloyd and Evangeline Stevens.

Ruth attended grade school in Clarkston moving to Nezperce in 1945. After high school she attended Eastern Washington College graduating with a B.A. in education. She began her teaching career in Coeur d’Alene in 1957 and started coaching in 1963. In 1971 for 13 years Ruth was coach of the girls’ volleyball team at Coeur d’Alene High School.

Ruth was a member of the Coeur d’Alene Education Association, IAHPER and AAHPER holding state and national offices and receiving the Distinguished Service Award. She was also a member of the Idaho Coaches Association and was instrumental in organizing District I Coaches of Women’s Sports.

In 1989, Ruth married Darrel Lynch. She retired from teaching in 1990 and after Darrel’s retirement, they traveled in the winter months to Mexico and Arizona and made their home in Coeur d’Alene later moving to Clarkston.

Ruth is survived by her husband, Darret Lynch of Clarkston; sister Jayne and Bob Carlson of Anacortes, Wash.; sister Margaret Van Leuven of Coeur d’Alene; nieces, Bobi and Mike Sheets, Jo Ann and Jeff Defenbach, and Jan Carlson; nephew Chuck and Kerry Carlson; stepchildren, Scott and Debbie Lynch, Mark Lynch, Tim and Lana Lynch, Darby (Lynch) and Eric Justis; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2012, at Merchant’s Funeral Home, 1000 Seventh St., Clarkston.

Donations can be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Please sign the online guest book at www.merchantfuneralhome.com