Longtime resident, Ruth Ellen Peterson, passes peacefully in her sleep

She is survived by her sister Marylyn Copper of Los Gatos, CA, daughters Connie (Charlie) White of Ridgecrest, CA, and Carol (Raul) Medina of Fresno, CA, Granddaughter Stephanie (Gordon) Wege of Huntington Beach, and Grandson Evan (Kristin) White of San Diego,  Granddaughter Brittney Medina of Tempe, Arizona, Step Grandson Joey Medina, five great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Ruth was born May 28, 1928, in Coalinga, CA.  She grew up in Taft, CA, where her family worked for Standard Oil.  She enjoyed Girl Scouts, school plays, choir, playing piano, and Girls Athletic Association, and was a pep girl and Senior Class President at Taft High School. 

Ruth attended San Jose State College, where she earned her Teaching Credential and enjoyed life in the Sigma Kappa Sorority.  

Ruth met her future husband, Ralph Peterson, at a School Registration dance.  Ruth loved working with children and became a kindergarten teacher. Ruth and Ralph married in 1950 and began their life together, living and teaching in small towns in California: Dixon, Bieber, East Nicholas, and Avenal, and finally settling in Lemoore, where they lived for 54 years and raised their family.

While in Lemoore, Ruth enjoyed activities such as cooking, dancing, camping, traveling, Lemoore Women’s Club, Bridge Clubs, AAUW, PEO, and being a member of the Lemoore Presbyterian Church.  

Our mother was a very caring person, always worried about others. You couldn’t leave her table hungry. She did everything with grace and pride.  She will be missed! 

We will have a Celebration of Life to remember Ruth on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at 2:00 pm, at the Lemoore Presbyterian Church.