Beatrice Winona Ruder, aka “Grandma Bea” went home to Jesus on March 11, 2023 at age 94.

Bea was born to Winona Rose Leichty and Willliam Leichty on May 13, 1928 in Mill City, OR.

Bea attended school in Bothel, Washington; she didn’t enjoy school, but understood the value of education and achieved her GED.

Following school, Bea went to visit her sister in Minturn, Colorado where she was persuaded to attend the local barn dance. There, she caught the determined eye of a kind caring local man; Ralph Leonard Ruder would be the reason she decided to stay in Minturn. They adored one another, were very much in love and on January 7, 1949, Ralph and Beatrice married. They went on to have three children, Leonard Ralph, William John, and Darlene Gail. Bea worked the 160 acre family homestead ranch on Gore Creek, now known as West Vail, Colorado, along with her husband until his early passing just 12 years after they married. Some years later, Bea moved with their three children to Eagle, Colorado where they lived for a time before Bea moved back to Washington with Leonard, and with Bill and Darlene to follow soon after.

With her servant’s heart and love for people, every job she had she was a blessing and a servant working “as unto the Lord”; she owned a gift shop, she waited tables, she was an independent caregiver then was main caregiver in an assisted living home where she loved and cared for each soul with much dignity and respect all while serving and caring for her own growing family.

Bea was diligent, hardworking, a dedicated and loving mother, and her pride and joy were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; she most loved and treasured being with family; her most important achievement in life, the only thing along with God she valued, it could be argued family was her identity..

Bea was introduced to Jesus Christ by her Grandma Bearsner who she modeled her grandmothering style after. In her youth, questioning if God was real, from her room Bea called out asking God to reveal Himself to her; in that moment, her room was so filled with His tangible presence, she could feel He was present in the room with her. From that moment forward, she never doubted the truth of His being. As a young wife, an Assembly of God pastor knocked on their door inviting people to church and sharing the gospel; she accepted Jesus as her Savior and made Him Lord of her life. Grandma Bea held an unwavering faith in God, and was a loyal servant to Him, first and foremost. She loved going to church and lived sharing the love and warmth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, with as many people as possible.

Beatrice joins her husband Ralph and her Daughter Darlene in Heaven as well as her mother Winona, father William, stepfather George, her siblings Bob, Fred, and Carl Leichty, Dorothy Quinn, Marylin Leichty, Lorraine King. She is survived by many loving family members, including her sons Leonard and Bill, grandchildren Ralph & Dawn Ruder, Linda Ruder, Chris & Jennifer Raffelson, Richelle & Jeremiah Futch, Jennifer & Bob Bejarano, and Tammy DePriest; her great-grandchildren Ashley, Brandon, Zach, Damon, Celeste; Sam, Tim, Matthew, Josh, Rebekah, Nathan, Caylee, Kristy, Ryann; London, Reagan, Keaton; and Jolene; as well as her siblings Marvin and Harold Leichty, CarolAnn LaGrave, and Joanne with brother-in-law Don Johnson.

Grandma Bea, blessed and beloved by all, will forever be remembered with great love.

Memorial service will be held at the Ocosta Rec Hall Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Please share your memories here: https://everloved.com/life-of…

Psalm 136:1 “O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.”

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