Ruth Gardner Sidwell (1940-2022) was born on September 16, 1940 in Teton, Idaho. She was the sixth of 8 children born to James Gardner and Neta Nibley Gardner. She lived there with her parents and seven siblings until she was 13, when the lure of better soil brought the family to Eastern Washington.

Ruth loved being on a farm and thought her childhood was ideal. She graduated from Quincy High School and then later attended Ricks College in Rexburg, ID and Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA.

She served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Scotland from 1961-62. After her mission, she moved to Seattle to work and live close to several of her siblings. It was during this time that she was introduced by her brother Reed to a fellow basketball player named Richard Sidwell. They dated and were finally married (it took a lot longer than she would have liked) on March 23, 1965.

Their first of 7 children, TerraLee, was born 11 months later. Laurel, Andree and Scott were also born in Seattle. Richard and Ruth lived in Seattle for 7 years until Richard accepted a new job in Port Angeles. The last three of their children, Jennifer, Cristopher and Michael, were born in Port Angeles. Here they raised their children and became an integral part of their church and community.

Ruth's main priority was always her family and children. Her church community and friends were also very important to her, and she gave of her time freely. Ruth worked at multiple jobs over the years to help support her family, including working in the Port Angeles School district as a para-educator for over 20 years, retiring in 2000.

Ruth loved her husband, children, grandchildren, books, writing, painting, talking to friends, Judge Judy, and chocolate.

She is survived by her husband, Richard Sidwell; her children TerraLee (Peter) Trent, Laurel (Jim) Bennett, Andree (Laura) Sidwell, Scott (Lynae) Sidwell, Jennifer (Jason) Bringhurst, Cristopher (Diana) Sidwell, Michael (Jenny) Sidwell; 22 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren and 2 sisters Kaye Manley and Gayle Timke. She is preceded in death by her parents and five siblings. She made a mark on many and will be missed sorely by her family and friends.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 5, 2022 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 591 Monroe Road in Port Angeles followed by burial at Ocean View Cemetery at 3127 W. 18th Street, also in Port Angeles.

Drennan & Ford Funeral Home in Port Angeles was entrusted with her arrangements. Please sign the online guestbook for her family at www.drennanford.com .