Ruth Christine Spurlin, 86, of Nevis and formerly of Wadena, died April 6, 2006, at her home in Nevis.
She was born Feb. 4, 1920, near Wadena to Henry Carl and Lillie Marie (Skaro) Westby. She lived and went to school near Blue Grass before moving with her family to Nevis in 1929. She attended school in Nevis, where she graduated from high school. She married Joe Spurlin on Oct. 1, 1940, in Nevis. They had lived in Nevis the majority of her life except for a short time in White Sulphur Springs, Mont., and Missoula, Mont. She was a homemaker the majority of her life. She enjoyed flower gardening, feeding animals and birds, spending time with family and friends visiting over coffee. She was devoted to family and loved to cook and bake for them. She trusted Christ as savior and was always active in her church, teaching Sunday School and doing church missionary work. She enjoyed music and guitar, and she sang for many funerals. She recently was attending the Bible Baptist Church in Nevis. She was known for her friendly smile and pleasant personality.
Her funeral was at 1 p.m. April 12 at the Bible Baptist Church in Nevis with Pastor Thomas Drury officiating. Casketbearers were Kenneth Spurlin, Earl Spurlin, Paul Spurlin, Ronald Alberg, Pastor Paul Peterson and David Barnum. Honorary casketbearers were her grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Burial was in Lakeview Cemetery in Nevis with Cease Family Funeral Home of Nevis in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include four sons, Clyde Spurlin of Repressa, Calif., Kenneth (Mary) Spurlin and Earl (Patricia) Spurlin, both of Nevis, and Paul (Debra) Spurlin of Stevensville, Mont.; three daughters, Grace (Ronald) Alberg of Nevis, Mary Lou (David) Barnum of Crookston and Joanne (Paul) Peterson of Miles City, Mont.; two sisters, Betty (Jim) Hocking of Lolo, Mont., and Marge Batterson of Portland, Ore.; 22 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one infant daughter, Judy; and two brothers, Harold Westby and Gaylord Westby.
