Cathy Johnston Rulien

Cathy Johnston Rulien

Cathy Johnston Rulien, 76, of Gig Habor, Washington went home to the Lord early on June 13, 2026.

Born in Portland Oregon, Cathy was the daughter of daughter of the late Rex and Lucille Johnston. She was the second of four children. As the daughter of a military family, she spent much of her childhood traveling throughout the United States and abroad, living on military bases and experiencing new adventures in each new place.

After graduating from Twin Falls High School in Idaho, Cathy attended Central Washington University, where she met her husband-to-be, Harvey Rulien. They married in 1972. Cathy earned two degrees from Central and began her career working with adults with disabilities for the City of Seattle.

When her two children were born, Cathy devoted herself to raising her family. During those years, she developed many of the talents that would fill her creative life. She loved learning how to cook various cuisines from around the world, creating elaborate birthday cakes, sewing clothing and quilts, and making crafts with her children. Her home was always filled with creativity, good food, and love.

Once both children were in elementary school, Cathy returned to Central to earn her teaching degree in Elementary Education. After some time as a substitute teacher, she joined the faculty at Life Christian School in Tacoma, teaching fourth grade. Cathy later continued her career at Oakbrook Elementary in Lakewood, teaching a multitude of grades, and serving as the school’s Instructional Facilitator. She retired after many years faithfully serving students and fellow educators.

Retirement gave Cathy the opportunity and time to spend her days doing what she loved most. She loved spending time with Harvey and her family. She poured her heart into her hobbies, quilting, gardening, preserving pickles, jams, and other treats, and preparing wonderful meals for the family’s annual Saint Lucia’s Day celebration. Cathy reflected her generosity and care for others by creating beautiful things for them.

Cathy loved both of her children deeply, but nothing brought her greater joy than being “Oma” to her two granddaughters. She treasured her time with them, especially working in her garden space, passing along her knowledge of plants along with her love.

She never met a stranger. Cathy believed that strangers were simply friends that she hadn’t spent enough time with. She was warm, welcoming, and genuinely interested in others. She formed lifelong friendships wherever her life took her.

An avid reader, Cathy always had a book within reach. She read anything from romance, mysteries, and crime novels to historical fiction and biblical studies. She was also an avid gardener, even to the very end. She loved putzing around outside, tending to her flowers and vegetables. Cathy also was a talented seamstress and embroiderer. She created quilts for both her family and others, as well as many items of clothing over the years. As her mobility became more limited, she devoted more time to her embroidered work, with just as much talent.

Cathy is preceded in death by her husband, Harvey Rulien, who passed away in 2021.

She is survived by her daughter, Heather (Rulien) Conklin and husband Trevor; son Erik Rulien; two grandchildren Isla and Rowan Conklin; her brother, Michael Johnston, and her sisters, Kris Johnston and Lynn Lowman.

Her family will remember Cathy for her generous spirit, her creative heart, her unwavering faith, and the way she made everyone she met feel welcome and loved. The family has planned a memorial for August 8th, 2026.