October 14, 1922-

January 30, 2007

Ruth Lied, 84, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Vashon Island on Tuesday, January 30. Her husband, Alf, preceded her in death by eight years to the month.

Born in Norway on October 14, 1922, she worked as a teacher in Oslo until coming to the U.S. after the war in 1947 to join her soon-to-be husband. Alf had previously escaped to England on a fishing boat from German-occupied Norway and served as a Captain in the Norwegian Air Force during World War II, before moving to California to study aeronautical engineering.

Ruth and Alf moved to Des Moines in 1949 after Boeing hired Alf. His work as a Boeing representative to various airlines allowed them to live in Germany, England, and Texas before returning to Washington. Ruth and Alf later moved to California when Alf joined and eventually retired from Lockheed.

Ruth and Alf chose to retire on Vashon Island 20 years ago, and they enjoyed the beauty of the island and their scenic view of the Puget Sound from their lovely home that Alf built on Dilworth Point. Ruth was a beautiful woman of grace who touched all who knew her. She had an extraordinary ability to make everyone she met feel unique and appreciated. Ruth enjoyed traveling, the symphony, water aerobics, gardening, reading and graciously entertaining her family and friends.

She was a devoted mother to Sonja and Erik, and a loving and actively involved grandmother (or Bestemor, as she was called by her family) to her grandchildren Lars and Nils Grimm and Alex and Alise Lied.

All who knew her will miss her quick smile, warmth, sage words and gentle demeanor. She had a profound and continuing influence on all of our lives.

A small celebration of her life was held on Vashon on Saturday February 10.