Ruth Lorraine Van Order, 88, passed away on August 25, 2010.  She was was born in Wisconsin to Lester and Odessa Curran on September 18, 1921.

On July 29, 1950, she married Raymond Van Order, who was in the Air Force.  During this time, she and her family enjoyed experiencing other cultures in Holland, Luxembourg, Italy, Austria and Hong Kong.

With the kid grown and gone, Ruth had lots of time to pursue her interests.  They included crossword puzzles, listening to Lawrence Welk and big band music, writing poetry for family and friends, collecting angels, reading, scrapbooking, making special books to celebrate special events and, most of all, genealogy.  She devoted countless hours and resources to researching Civil War times and Mayflower records.  She was very proud of having traced her ancestry back to the Mayflower and becoming a member of the Mayflower Society.

Ruth was in her element as a publicist for the Klamath Basin Genealogical Society, as well as for other organizations in which she held other offices.  She was a charter member and historian for the Oregon Avery Stearns Circle No. 40 Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic, regent officer for the Klamath Chapter of the Daughters of the American Colonists, a member of the Eulalona Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, a member of the Oregon Chapter of the Mayflower Society, a member of the NCO Officers Assoc. Auxiliary No. 239 and a member of the Kenosha Bradford Alumni Association.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond; an infant daughter; two brothers and her parents.

Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, John and Lorraine Van Order of Klamath Falls; grandson, Earl Van Order and granddaughters, Davina Van Order and Rosie Van Order; daughter and son-in-law, Mary and Gary Beasley of Canby, OR, grandson, Corey Beasley and two great-grandsons, Dylan and Ethan Beasley; and daughter Ramona of Klamath Falls, grandchildren, Nick and Nicole Bishop and great-granddaughters, Monica and Alexandra Bishop.

To her friends, she was "Little Ruthie", a sweetheart known for her kindness and generosity, who accomplished so much for the organizations she loved.  To her family, mom was a faithful wife and selfless mother. We are very proud of her, we love her "to the stars and back" and will miss her terribly.

Published in the Herald and News on September 1, 2010.