In the early morning hours of February 9, 2026, as she slept in her ranch house on the Heart of Chewiliken ranch, Jesus came for Ruthann Wilson, 94 years old, daughter of Oscar Lee Reeves and Eunice Henrietta Moore Reeves Presto.

Ruthann was born in Fresno, California on November 18, 1931. When her parents divorced, her mother moved her two daughters, Ruthann and June Lee to Riverside, Washington to live with Ruthann's grandmother, Rose Ann Moore who ran a boarding house. For Ruthann the transition was hard. She gave up her tap shoes and tricycle riding on the sidewalks for sturdy shoes and hard work.

Ruthann's formative years were spent in different homes and schools in Omak as her mother kept finding work, then they settled in Tunk Valley. They became involved in the community and she and her mother were part of the local Red Cross group, sewing quilts for needy families. She loved creek fishing, riding horses and anything to do with the outdoors. Her mother let her raise chickens, and she would sell them for $1.50 each which gave her enough money for a special winter coat. She attended the one room schoolhouse in the valley, and her love of learning and the beginning of her faith in God was nurtured by her teacher Annie Holmes. At that time, the Book Mobile, a library on wheels, would deliver books to the country school and Ruthann discovered her love of reading! She would be lost in the books and said she identified with the little waifs in Charles Dickens books! Probably because of her love for reading, Ruthann became a gifted writer. At age 73 she wrote her story: Blossoms Among the Briars…. The story of a little girl grown old.

The Grange was a hub of the community. It was there she and her future husband, Albert Wilson, would have a grand time square dancing when they were youngsters! The Grange was also important to Ruthann and she and Albert are 80-year members! When Ruthann was in High School in Riverside, her dancing partner, Albert, transferred from Tonasket, and the sparks began to fly! Ruthann was an excellent student and was asked to help teach the younger students, which she loved. Her favorite subject was history, and she would read history books as if they were novels.

By the end of her junior year, although she loved school, the handsome young rancher stole her heart and Albert and Ruthann knew their destiny. On September 14, 1948, they were married at the Methodist church in Omak, and their life began in the beautiful Chewiliken Valley where Albert's grandfather had settled.

Ruthann loved being a ranch wife and being 100% involved in the ranch.  An extension for ranch wives was the Cattlewomen organization which she was proud to be part of.  She worked outside the home at the apple warehouse, raised chickens and sold eggs, helped milk cows and sold cream at the local creamery. She raised a big garden and taught her children how to plant, hoe, and harvest garden crops. Some of her favorite times were working in the garden with her soulmate of 77 years, Albert, by her side, especially as they searched for ripe tomatoes and new potatoes! The fruit of her labor lasted all winter as she canned hundreds of quarts of fruit and vegetables.

It was important to her that her six children be brought up to know the Lord. She and Albert were faithful in attending either the Assembly of God church where Albert's Aunt attended, or the Free Methodist where Albert's grandparents' roots were deep. At the Free Methodist church, Ruthann taught Sunday school classes, was active in the women's missionary group, tied quilts for graduates and brides, sang, organized dinners, and did her quiet service for the Lord.

A real mission she felt called to was sewing quilts for newborns. She was humble and did not take pictures, or keep a count, but we know she made well over 100 of them! She included Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it". To this end, she raised her children.

She is survived by her husband of 77 years, Albert, her children and spouses, Kathleen and Dale Duchow, Steve and Verlene Wilson, Ron and Brenda Wilson, Mike and Joy Wilson, Dan and Cheri Wilson, and Tiffany and Corey Keeton. Her legacy lives on in her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren numbering over 100!

She was preceded in death by her grandson Cody Lynn Keeton.

Services for Ruthann Wilson will be Saturday, February 28, 2026, beginning with a graveside service at 10 AM at the Chewiliken Valley Wilson Cemetery. Her memorial will be held at 12 noon at Tonasket Free Methodist Church,1 Stanton Loop Road (just off Havillah Road) with Pastor Mac Carroll officiating. A potluck dinner will follow the service.

Memorials can be made in Ruthann's name to:

Seattle Children's Hospital Whitestone Guild 656B Loomis-Oroville RD Tonasket, WA 98855

Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery 2230 E Sprague Ave Spokane, WA 99202

Ronald McDonald House Charities 1028 W 5th Ave Spokane, WA 99204