A native of Clearwater, Washington, Ruth grew up near the Queets River and cherished the deep friendships and extended family she made there. After graduating from Hoquiam High School in 1952, she attended college then worked for Rayonier in Hoquiam as a stenographer and secretary. Her Brooks family were homesteaders on the Queets River in the 1930s. She had incredible childhood memories of the joy she had there, until they were forced out when the Olympic National Park was created.
For the past 41 years she and her family attended and helped organize the annual Queets/Clearwater Pioneer Reunion, which was established in 1978 by the Bue family. She met her lifelong love Jens Boeholt while working at The Harborena roller skating rink. They married three years later on Aug. 11, 1956, and the two of them owned and operated the rink for the last 60 years, along with raising their six children, which she said were the best years of her life. Ruth enjoyed reading, crocheting, going to local casinos with Jens, playing table games, playing her organ, gardening, ceramics, the beach, clam digging, canning, road trips, camping and volunteering. She was a Lioness in the Aberdeen Lions for many years, which included being apart of the annual cancer relay team. She was also an Elks member.
A remarkable wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, homemaker and friend as well as a smart business woman, Ruth enjoyed preparing meals and hosting family and friends as well as working in partnership with Jens in running the Harborena. She will be fondly remembered by all who knew her.
This scholarship will help cover the cost of books for Aberdeen and Hoquiam High School undergraduates.
