Esther Ruth Chaney Brands, 83

March 1, 1931 - Jan. 11, 2015

The light of one of God's Angels was taken from Earth into Heaven at 6:40 pm, Sunday, January 11, 2015, but the after-glow of her presence here on Earth will remain in our hearts until we see her again at our eternal Home.

Ruth Brands left this world surrounded by the powerful love of God, her family, and the special friends she made at Lark's Haven and Auburn Crest Hospice, where she has resided for the past 3 years.

Ruth, named Esther Ruth Chaney, was born on March 1st , 1931 in Barberton, Ohio. Better known by her preferred middle name, Ruth, which she would make crystal clear immediately, moved with her family to Akron, OH where she went to work after high school at B.F. Goodrich. It was shortly after that that she met her soon-to-be-husband Frank. They were married in Akron, OH on July 30, 1956, and immediately moved to Pullman, WA where Frank was employed as Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering at what was then Washington State College. They spent the next 43 years there, raising 3 sons, along with numerous horses, cats, and dogs.

After the children reached school age, Ruth returned to work, part time when the children were younger, and then later, full time. She had an interesting career, working as a secretary for Jameson Insurance in Pullman, as a medical secretary at Pullman Memorial Hospital for many years, and then finally, for many years as Administrative Assistant for the Department of Entomology.

Afterwards she and Frank moved to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho where they had taken the family to enjoy many summers, to enjoy retirement. Ruth's faith in God was tested more than once in her life but perhaps most when she lost her oldest son, Mark who was taken by God in 1989, by the ravages of Muscular Dystrophy. She was tested again when Frank was called home on August 30, 2005. Through that time, although tested, she was blessed to experience the many incredible joys of being a wonderful grandmother to seven grandchildren, as well as an "adopted" Mom, and "Grandma" to many other young adults and children, Her love, her brilliant smile, and her faith in God has been a beacon of light and source of strength for many souls throughout her years.

She leaves behind her youngest sister Judy Kay, her two sons, Greg and David, their wives Andrea and Denise, as well as 7 grandchildren, Lindsay, Zack, David, Joshua, Catherine, Jeremiah, and Daniel. She will be truly missed by many. Her greatest desire is that all of us would come join her and Dad, Mark, and her other family and friends who trusted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2pm on Friday January 23rd, 2015 at the Yates Funeral Home, Hayden Chapel in Hayden Lake Idaho. A graveside service will be held at the Pullman City Cemetery in Pullman Washington on the following day at 10 am.

Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements.