Ruth Skarberg passed from this life on Dec. 1, 2006 at her home in Clinton, surrounded by family.

She was born Jan. 4, 1915 in Wray, Colo. to Floyd and Mary Galbreath. The family moved to Whidbey Island in 1925 and Ruth helped her grandparents with their trout farm at the bottom of Kyllenon Hill.

Ruth graduated from Langley High School in 1933 and moved to Clinton where her family owned and operated the Clinton Union Store.

Ruth and Gust Skarberg were married Oct. 1, 1936.

Ruth worked at the Clinton Post Office from 1939 until she retired as Postmistress in 1974. After her retirement, she and her husband, Gust, traveled extensively and spent their summers in Alaska where Gust managed fish canneries. She sewed aprons for the school at Buckley, sock monkeys too numerous to mention and furnished friends and family with quilts and yarn-covered coat hangers.

She and Gust were active members of Eastern Star, St. Peter’s Lutheran Church and were involved in generations of school and community activities. They invested endless hours before, during and after the Island County Fair.

Ruth, an inveterate prankster, made sure there was never a dull moment.

Ruth was preceded in death by her brother Robert Galbreath; sister June Schumacher; husband of 65 years, Gust Skarberg; and her granddaughter Shannan Skarberg.

Ruth is survived by her sister Beth Thorsen; brother-in-law Alvin Skarberg of Everett; daughter Janet Brown and partner Dick McClellan of Clinton; son Ken Skarberg and wife Nancy of Gig Harbor; grandchildren Ron Brown and wife Lori; Joye Brown and partner PeeWee Veit of Clinton; Shirley and Bill Lincoln of Gig Harbor; and great-grandchildren Shannon and Mary Brown of Clinton, Jake Lincoln of Gig Harbor; and step-grandchildren Bill Lincoln, Jr. of Seattle; and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Ruth’s life will be held at 2 p.m., Jan. 6 at the Rod & Gun Club in Langley.