Ruby Monson

February 19, 1912 - May 15, 2015

Ruby Monson died Friday night at Wesley Homes Health Center in Des Moines, WA. She was 103 years old. She was the widow of Cas Monson who owned and operated the Western Auto Store in Raymond from 1947 until he retired in 1970. Ruby was born in Minnesota to Jane and Oliver Lee. Growing up, she lived in Saskatchewan, Vancouver, B.C., and in South Bend, where her father farmed for a time. She said that a teacher had to be hired for her and her brother while there. The family then moved to Everett and eventually to Olympia, where she graduated from Olympia High School and from St. Peters Hospital School of Nursing. She enjoyed her work very much and after her youngest child entered second grade she worked at the Riverview Clinic, then at the Willapa Harbor Hospital. After retirement Ruby and Cas enjoyed spending winters in Arizona. The both loved to golf and were able to do so year-round. Ruby was a masterful seamstress and later in life enjoyed making quilts, which her children are grateful to have. Her handwork was always done to perfection. She is survived by her four children: Andy of Raymond, Judy Swanson of Kent, Michele Monson of Kent and Jill Monson of Auburn; and her son-in-law, Don Swanson and grandchildren Meredith King, Kirk Swanson, Jacob Monson, Ariel Monson and Erik Monson, as well as four great grandchildren. Ruby’s children are grateful to their wonderful parents for being exceptional examples of love, hard work and generosity. They are also grateful that they had the good fortune to grow up in Raymond. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, May 21, 2015 at the Fern Hill Cemetery in Menlo; conducted by Ruby’s nephew, Kempton Hewitt, who considers his Aunt Ruby a very special person in his life. Arrangements were in care of Stoller’s Mortuary in Raymond, WA.