Ruth Hitland

Ruth Hitland, wife, mother and friend died Oct. 2, 2006, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center after a short illness.

Born in Bergen, Norway, Dec. 20, 1929, to Bertin and Britha Instebo, she was a talented singer and often sang at Christmas and other services. She had a flair for mischief, something her two daughters have inherited and enjoyed teasing and being part of a large extended family there.

She met her husband Kaare in 1948 in Bergen. They got into a discussion about music and were still discussing music, events of the day, life in general until the day she died. Theirs was a true partnership, and she was as devoted to him as he to her.

In 1952, they moved from Norway to Whitefish, and in 1956, they moved out to Whitefish Lake, where they built their home, watched bears, moose, deer and beavers from their front porch, and where she planted enormous flower beds which she took great pride in.

To Ruth and Kaare were born two daughters, Brith and Janet. Their house was filled with the sounds of classical music, with Wagner, Debussey, Chopin, Lizst and Beethoven being particular favorites. The other things that Ruth made sure of was that plenty of books were available to read (anything about queens Victoria, Alexandra and Elizabeth I & II were great favorites), there were places to visit (her trip with her husband to the Gaspe', Las Vegas and Europe were things she recalled again and again) and concerts to attend.

Her insight into people was one of her greatest strengths. She encouraged people to follow their dreams, to take risks and to never, ever let anyone get in the way of them doing what they thought they needed to do.

She is survived at the family home in Whitefish by her husband Kaare; her daughter Brith Sutherland, of Kalispell; son-in-law Steve; grandsons Kory and Bret; and her daughter Janet Yeager, of Tulsa, and son-in-law Greg and grandsons Eric and Scott.

A celebration of her life will be held at Riverside Assisted Living, in Whitefish, on Friday, Oct. 6, 2006, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The family is suggesting that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to either Stumptown Historical Society or the Whitefish Library Association.