Ruth Burrene Buhmann, 106, loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great-great grandmother passed away on Thursday, June 21, 2007, of natural causes, at her home near Chinook, surrounded by family.
A public viewing will be held at the Edwards Memorial Chapel 7 p. m. on today. A graveside service is scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 26, at the Kuper Memorial Cemetery with Ila McClenahan officiating. Music will be provided by Ken Overcast. Ruth was born on June 14, 1901 in Jonesville, Mich., to Benjamin and Elizabeth (Warrner) Sprague, the youngest of five children. She graduated from high school in Hermiston, Oregon in 1920 and later that year married her high school beau, Reinhart Buhmann. Two sons were born to this union. A sudden tragedy took the life of her husband in 1929 and she remarried Reinhart’s brother Lawrence in March of 1930. Two daughters were born to this union. They left Hermiston to raise honey on the abundant clover growing in Montana. They settled on the Missouri River south of Glasgow where a daughter also joined the family. In 1937, upon the completion of the Fort Peck Dam, they moved to Zurich where they expanded their Buhmann Apiaries operation. It was there where Ruth helped in the everyday operations of the business, along with her mother and homemaker responsibilities. Another daughter joined them after their move to Zurich. Ruth was a charter member in the Zurich Home Demonstration club, enjoying many hours of fellowship while quilting with friends and working on community projects. She raised a large garden where she canned, froze and preserved most of their winter supply. She was a wonderful cook and was praised by family and friends for her excellent pie-making skills which she shared with many. Ruth traveled frequently to visit family and to enjoy many sites in the United States, Canada and Mexico. However, Ruth’s family was the joy and focus of her time and talents. She loved and supported five generations as they experienced life. She will be remembered by each individual by the unique way she touched their lives. Ruth was preceded in death by her husbands, Reinhart in 1929 and Lawrence in 2002; her daughter, Ilene Mord; her parents, Benjamin and Elizabeth Sprague; sisters, Lula Kaiser, Kit Smith; and brothers, Lynn Sprague and Ray Sprague. Ruth is survived by sons, Robert (Phyllis) Buhmann of Zurich, Gene of Cascade; daughter, Nancy Norberg of Missoula; 13 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great grandchildren; and eight nephews and nieces. Memorials may be made to Bear Paw Hospice, 30 West 13th Street, dHavre, MT 59501 or to a charity of the donors choice. Services are under the care of Edwards Funeral Home of Chinook.
