Ruth Ada Hawersaat Miller

Born in Cleveland, Ohio to Edward J. Hawersaat and Ada Pickersgill Hawersaat, 3/19/1928. Died 7/1/2016 in Edmonds, WA. Predeceased by beloved husband Dexter Franklin Miller (2013), parents, brothers Edward and William Hawersaat, and daughter-in-law Gwen Miller. Survived by children Dexter Bruce (Daryl), Linda (Gordon), Marla (Al), Rick (Lorraine), Paul, and Scott (Laurie); brother Allen Hawersaat (Virginia); in-laws James Miller, Helen (Miller) Evenson, Mary (Miller) Edson, Mary Hawersaat, and Anne Hawersaat; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. She was proud of the Pickersgill family connection to the history of the American flag, her mothers family immigration from Liverpool at the turn of the century, her father and his brothers butcher shop, and the closeness of Pickersgill and Hawersaat cousins as they grew up together in the Cleveland area.Family and friends were of utmost importance to Ruth. She and Dexter served many United Methodist church communities (PA, NY, MN), and made deep and lasting friendships in each. Ruth was a consummate elementary teacher, and right up to the end of her life remembered how much she loved getting up each morning to go to teach. Favorite activities included walking, gardening, reading, singing, baking cookies (eat bars!), and playing Scrabble (her children measured their rite of passage by the first time they could beat her in Scrabble!). She was thrilled by the beauty of Gods world, and would stand in awe of fish climbing a ladder, mountains that terrified her, and the peacefulness of a grove of trees in a Minnesota campground. Ruth was usually up for anything that involved camping, going for a ride, seeing friends and family, and helping as a hostess (even when she didnt know the guests!).Moving to WA after retirement, she and Dexter volunteered through their church by singing at nursing homes and helping in the Food Bank, supporting VFW and Kiwanis, and making cookies for the local firefighters. Ruths highest tribute to a friend or family member when they passed is so true for her as well: she left the world a better place, she will be missed! Interment at Tahoma National Cemetery, service information pending.