Ruth Kero

Ruth Elaine Kero was born Jan. 31, 1955, in Tillamook, to Fritz and Anna (Brummel) Hofmann, and passed away on Dec. 10 at her home in Gearhart, with her family by her side, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was 69 years old.

As one of five children, Ruth grew up on a dairy farm in Tillamook, where she loved helping care for newborn calves, riding her horse through the hay fields and forest and spending time in her father’s boat-building shop. She also enjoyed exploring the farm woodlots and harvesting chittum bark and ferns to sell.

Ruth attended South Prairie School, graduated from Tillamook High School in 1973, and took a job at the Tillamook Ford Garage. She later moved to Seaside, where she worked in the office of Crown Zellerbach.

In Seaside, she met Charlie Kero, and they were married in April 1979. They settled in Gearhart, and soon welcomed their children, Ann and Clayton.

Ruth was a stay-at-home mother while her children were young, and later worked as a real estate appraiser assistant, in retail and at a floral shop, where she was able to put her amazing creative talents to use.

Throughout her life, Ruth enjoyed tending her flower and vegetable gardens, sewing and quilting, driving her red Ford Mustangs, fishing in any form, clam digging and camping with her family.

She was always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone in need, baked a mean apple pie and loved passing her awe of nature on to her children and grandchildren.

Ruth was a loving mother, wife, daughter, and friend to many. She is survived by her husband, Charlie; her children, Ann Moyer (Jeb) and Clayton Kero; her brother, Allen (Marie) Hofmann; sisters, Judy Sauter and Kristine Reibach; mother-in-law, Myra Kero; several brothers and sisters-in-law; numerous nieces and nephews; and three grandsons, Hudson and Nash Kero and Jhett Moyer.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Grace “Gay” Allen; and her nephew, Sean Allen.

Per her wishes, her family will lay her ashes to rest on her family farm. A celebration of life will be planned for the coming year.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sou’Wester Garden Club in Seaside, or the Trail’s End Art Association in Gearhart.

The family also wishes to thank everyone who has provided support, care and love to Ruth over the past several years.

Hughes-Ransom Mortuary and Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.