Ruth Marion (Slette) Rodeen, 94

Ruthie passed away peacefully into the arms of the Lord on Nov. 13, 2023, while surrounded by loving family members at Kootenai Health in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. She was born in Sandpoint, Idaho, on Feb. 2, 1929, to Norwegian immigrants Mina (Karlstad) Slette and Anton Slette, the 11th of 12 children. She spent her childhood in an area of Sandpoint called Milltown, where Super 1 is today. She was proud that she started first grade at age 5 at Lincoln School. She always said that she was 5’1¾” tall. (don’t forget the ¾’). A family friend paid for piano lessons that started a lifetime of joy and entertainment. She played at her graduation from Sandpoint High in 1946 when she was 17 years old. 

In June of 1946, she married Lloyd H Allen. Together they had three daughters. Many people remember Ruthie as the sweet, kind and beautiful head waitress at the Pastime Cafe on First Avenue, working to help with all the expenses of raising a family. 

In 1969, she married her soul mate, Don Storlie, and moved to Spokane, where he worked. A promotion took them to Anchorage, Alaska, where she worked for the state of Alaska Employment Dept. Another promotion moved them to Tucson, Ariz. They later settled in Lewiston, Idaho, where they owned and operated Gem Rewind and Machine until Don passed in 1981.

Ruth later married Ray Rodeen and moved to Clarkston, Wash. They wintered in Arizona for 18 years and made many trips to states in the U.S.A. She loved her trip to Norway with her sister, Virginia. They were always very close and talked every day, reminding each other how beautiful they were!

She was an active member of her church in Clarkston, where she played piano for Sunday services and attended religiously. She was a member of the Red Hat Society and the Sons of Norway. She passed down her Norwegian traditions of making lefse, lutefisk, meatballs and desserts to her children and grandchildren.

Ruth moved to Coeur d’Alene in 2016, to be closer to her daughters and family. She loved to knit dishcloths, always gifting them to family and friends. She prayed for her children and grandchildren every day, always remembering birthday cards to each. She had an active social life and lived independently until her unexpected passing from heart failure. 

Ruth leaves behind her sister, Virginia Jones of LaCenter, Wash.; and her three daughters, Lorraine Allen of Ponderay Idaho; Daralyn Larson (Roy); and Patricia Bates (Gary) of Post Falls, Idaho. Other families that will miss her are her grandchildren, Paul Nelson, Mike Katona, Donna Huntley, Tracey Amoth, Christopher Groves, Steven Groves, Peter Knutsen, Natalie Stika and MeLisa VanderVeen, and many beloved nieces and nephews. She has 24 great-grandchildren and 24 great-great-grandchildren.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents and siblings Osborn, Judy, John, Hans, Christine, Orville, Marie, June, Richard and one grandson, Christopher Steven Katona.

At her request, no service will be held at this time. The family will plan a celebration of life gathering in Sandpoint, Idaho, in the spring, where she is interned. If you wish to do so, you may donate in her honor to a charity of your choice. 

Arrangements were made by Coffelt Funeral Chapel in Sandpoint, Idaho.