- Date Of Birth: April 16, 1926
- Date Of Death: May 8, 2019
- State: Idaho
Ruth Ostermiller Gurnsey passed away on May 8, 2019. She was born on April 16, 1926 at the family farm in Nampa. She was the youngest child of the Ostermiller – Grasmick family. Her German parents, Henry Ostermiller and Susanna Ramer emigrated together from Beideck, Russia to America in 1906.
Ruth attended Lakeview and Nampa High School until her family moved to Fruitland during her sophomore year. She graduated from Fruitland High School in 1944. Ruth met her future husband, Jack Gurnsey, at Fruitland High. They married July 15, 1945, while Jack was on leave from the U.S. Navy.
After Jack was discharged in 1946, they settled in Fruitland, Ontario and Boise. They raised their two daughters, Suzanne and Dianne, during those years.
Ruth had always wanted to teach so at age 39, she started college.
Ruth’s passion for teaching won her many awards: Meridian School District Teacher of the Year, Idaho Statesman Citizen of the Month, Lifetime membership in the PTA, citations from Idaho Academic Decathlon, and honors from Nampa High’s Class of 1944.
Ruth made many friends at the Nampa Senior Center during retirement. She enjoyed volunteering and helping other Seniors at the Center. For many years, Ruth was the “Joke Lady” with a good laugh and appropriate reading for the folks. She looked forward to her daily Senior Center Time!
Ruth is survived by her daughter Suzanne (Ron) Penny; and four grandchildren, Julie Penny (Todd) Jensen, Scott Penny, Mark Penny, Ryan (Jessica) Penny; her great grandchildren, Ty and Gracie Penny, Kenzie Musick, Paige, Jack and Libby Jensen, and Reagann and Hadley Penny. Ruth’s husband Jack, daughter Dianne, and grandson Andrew preceded her in death.
