A graveside service was held on Saturday at Burwood Cemetery in Escalon for Ruth C. Cowles, 86, of Modesto. She died Sept. 23, 2008 at the Alexander Cohen Hospice House in Hughson.
A memorial service followed at Big Valley Grace Community Church in Modesto.
Born June 6, 1922 to Soren and Olga Christiansen, Mrs. Cowles was a native of Wilmot, S.D. where she lived until the age of 13. She was proud of her Danish heritage and often reminded people that she did not speak English until she entered public schools. Due to the hard times, her family sent her to live with an aunt in California, eventually ending up in Escalon. Ruth graduated from Escalon Union High School in 1940. She married her high school sweetheart David Cowles a few years later, after graduating in 1944 as a registered nurse from San Joaquin General Hospital School of Nursing. Mrs. Cowles worked at several different hospitals in the Modesto area.
She belonged to First Baptist Church of Ceres for many years and was an active member of Big Valley Grace Community church for over 25 years. She served as a leader in Bible Study Fellowship (BSF). Active in church mission committees, Ruth frequently visited aging friends in retirement homes until she herself moved to Bethel Retirement Community.
She leaves behind her children, Mary Cowles of Modesto, David Cowles of Fresno, Janice Cowles of Copperopolis and Peter Cowles of Singapore; three sisters, Mildred Serocki of Colorado Springs, Colo., Mavis Krone of Browns Valley, Minn., and Gladys Nelson of Escalon; eight grandchildren, Mike Davis, Matt Davis, Tricia Gotte, Lindy Findlen, Whitney Hegg, Brady Cowles, Janey Cowles, Kate Ferreira; and nine great-grandchildren, Bethany Davis, John-Marvin Davis, Matthew Davis, Gabriela Davis, Tyler Davis, Hallie Davis, Alex Davis, Grant Findlen and Jaxon Cowles. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband David (who passed away April 25, 2008), and sisters Agnes Tuff and Elsa Kunkel.
Remembrances may be sent in Ruth's memory to: Modesto Gospel Mission, 1400 Yosemite, Modesto CA, 95353 or Alexander Cohen Hospice House, 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto, 95356.
-Ceres (Calif.) Courier /October 8, 2008
A memorial service followed at Big Valley Grace Community Church in Modesto.
Born June 6, 1922 to Soren and Olga Christiansen, Mrs. Cowles was a native of Wilmot, S.D. where she lived until the age of 13. She was proud of her Danish heritage and often reminded people that she did not speak English until she entered public schools. Due to the hard times, her family sent her to live with an aunt in California, eventually ending up in Escalon. Ruth graduated from Escalon Union High School in 1940. She married her high school sweetheart David Cowles a few years later, after graduating in 1944 as a registered nurse from San Joaquin General Hospital School of Nursing. Mrs. Cowles worked at several different hospitals in the Modesto area.
She belonged to First Baptist Church of Ceres for many years and was an active member of Big Valley Grace Community church for over 25 years. She served as a leader in Bible Study Fellowship (BSF). Active in church mission committees, Ruth frequently visited aging friends in retirement homes until she herself moved to Bethel Retirement Community.
She leaves behind her children, Mary Cowles of Modesto, David Cowles of Fresno, Janice Cowles of Copperopolis and Peter Cowles of Singapore; three sisters, Mildred Serocki of Colorado Springs, Colo., Mavis Krone of Browns Valley, Minn., and Gladys Nelson of Escalon; eight grandchildren, Mike Davis, Matt Davis, Tricia Gotte, Lindy Findlen, Whitney Hegg, Brady Cowles, Janey Cowles, Kate Ferreira; and nine great-grandchildren, Bethany Davis, John-Marvin Davis, Matthew Davis, Gabriela Davis, Tyler Davis, Hallie Davis, Alex Davis, Grant Findlen and Jaxon Cowles. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband David (who passed away April 25, 2008), and sisters Agnes Tuff and Elsa Kunkel.
Remembrances may be sent in Ruth's memory to: Modesto Gospel Mission, 1400 Yosemite, Modesto CA, 95353 or Alexander Cohen Hospice House, 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto, 95356.
-Ceres (Calif.) Courier /October 8, 2008
