Ruth Ann Koller

CAMAS — Ruth Ann Koller, 85, of Ocean Park, Washington died on Feb. 1, 2016 in Camas, Washington. She was born on September 16, 1930 in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania to Michael and Nellie Futchel. Ruth graduated from Coughlin High School in Wilkes Barre and joined the Air Force after graduation. She became a Sergeant and worked as a tabulating machine operator in the Pentagon from June 1949 until July 1951.

Ruth married Frayne Gaylord in 1952 and went on to have seven children. In 1962, they moved from Pennsylvania to Portland, Oregon to be closer to his family. The marriage didn’t last, but Ruth stayed in Portland to raise her children. Later she would meet George Koller and Ruth would marry again.

In her 50s, Ruth went to work for the City of Portland in the Permit Planning Department. After retiring in 1992, she and George moved to Ocean Park, Washington. Ruth enjoyed RV’ing, spending winters in Arizona, and meeting friends at the Elks Lodge in Long Beach, and the Moose Lodge in Ocean Park. She liked to dance to country music and go walking on the beach. Her family was very important to her and with so many children there was never a dull moment when the family got together.

Ruth was a two-time breast cancer survivor, and fought hard to maintain her sense of humor as other health issues bombarded her in the last five years of her life. Ruth believed in Jesus and believed in the resurrection. She looked forward to the day when her pain would be gone and she could once again walk among her family in heaven. Ruth had a great sense of humor and her laugh was contagious. She had a sweet tooth and loved dark chocolate candy and caramels.

Ruth is survived by her seven children: Kim Stockett, Greg Gaylord, Frayne Gaylord, John Gaylord, Carl Gaylord, Carol Gaylord, and David Gaylord; 15 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Frayne Gaylord (1992), second husband, George Koller (2008), her parents; Nellie and Michael Futchel; her brother, Carl Futchel; and her sister, Helen Axelrod.

Ruth will be interred at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland on Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 12:30 pm., with a viewing at Evergreen Memorial Gardens on Monday, Feb. 8.

The family wants to offer special thanks to the Prestige Rehabilitation and Care Center in Camas, the Providence Medical Group Mill Plain, and Peace Health Hospice for all of their care and support to Ruth.