Mildred (Middy) Ruthruff
September 20, 1932 – July 12, 2021
Mildred (Middy) Ruthruff passed away July 12, 2021 after a brief illness. She was 88 years old. She was born September 20th, 1932 the fourth daughter of Earl and Mary Jane Rhoades in Snohomish, WA.
The first 9 years of her childhood were spent in Snohomish. In 1941 the family moved to Coulee City, WA where Earl was employed in the construction of the Coulee Dam. Middy graduated from Coulee/Hartline High School in 1950 and attended beauty school upon graduation. In 1951 she was introduced to Gene Ruthruff by his cousin and on July 11, 1953 they were married. The day before her death marked 68 years of marriage.
Gene and Middy began their married life in Tillamook, OR where their first child, Brian was born. They then moved back to Snohomish and bought and restored their home on Pine Avenue where they raised their children and Gene still resides.
Middy was a homemaker in the 50’s and 60’s and very involved in the United Methodist Church lady’s circle. She then worked part time at Weed’s Variety once the children were all in school. In 1978 she and her sister Annette Tucker opened the Balcony Restaurant in downtown Snohomish. The restaurant was her pride and joy and she loved her employees and customers like family. Even after the restaurant closed in 1986 she continued to have “Balcony Girls” reunions.
Along with the restaurant, Middy was very active in the Snohomish Historical Society and later spent many hours in the Archives office. She truly loved Snohomish and was never afraid to attend city council meetings or write letters to express her thoughts on how things should be run.
She leaves behind her husband Gene, her daughter-in-law Lorna, son Greg and daughters Terri, Jane (Tony Loomis), Jennifer (Brian Powers), 8 grandchildren, Chad (Renea), Kyle (Jennifer), Amy (Lucas), Nina (Mike), Anthony, Dustin (Julia), Aaron, Regan and 8 great grandchildren, Jacob, Peyton, Gus, Camden, Arlo, Iris, Elliot and Jack.
She was preceded in death by her parents, 3 sisters and her son Brian.
A memorial will be held Friday, August 13th at 1:00 p.m. at the Belle Chapel, (231 Avenue B, Snohomish) which was formerly the United Methodist Church where Gene and Middy were married and also celebrated their 50th Wedding anniversary.
The family would like to thank the staff at Regency Care Center in Monroe for the care they gave Middy during the last few months.
Memorial donations can be sent to Snohomish Food Bank, per her wishes.

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