Ruth Johanna Halvorson Bradley

Ruth Johanna Halvorson Bradley died in Renton, Washington, on February 15, 2010. She would have been 90 years old on February 28.She is survived by her sister Ethel Pease of Bremerton, Washington; brother Harold Halvorson of Novato, California; daughter and son-in-law Virgene Deutsch and Marc Stevenson of Kennewick, Washington; daughter and son-in-law Jan and Joe Bard, granddaughters Sydney Bard and Linze Bard, and great-grandson Lucas Bard, all of Maple Valley, Washington. She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years Robert O. Bradley, and her Norwegian parents Petra and Rasmus Halvorson of Wolf Point, Montana. Ruth’s family is grateful for the loving care she received during her last 1 ½ years by her caregiver and friend, Harriet Vailencour.Ruth was born February 28, 1920, on the family homestead in Wolf Point, Montana. Living on a remote wheat ranch, she rode a horse to elementary school and had to board in town during high school. She was the Spelling Bee champion for the state of Montana. Ruth came from a musical family. At barn dances in her youth, she played piano while her father played violin. She was also a drummer in a drum and bugle corps after high school, and learned to play the Irish bodhran drum at age 80. Ruth was an accomplished china painter and was generous in sharing her paintings. Ruth’s one weakness was her sweet tooth, having grown up making and eating Norwegian cookies. She worked her way through college as a secretary, and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a BS in Medical Technology. She married Robert O. Bradley in 1944, had two daughters, and in 1953 moved to Renton. She was honored as Washington State Medical Technologist of the Year 1975. She retired after 35 years, as head of the Laboratory at Valley Medical Center in Renton. She was an active member of Renton’s First United Methodist Church for 57 years. She volunteered for many community organizations including the Friendly Kitchen, Renton Historical Society, and Children’s Orthopedic Hospital guilds.Her memorial service is Saturday, February 27, 11:00 a.m., at Renton First United Methodist Church, 2201 NE 4th St., Renton. Please visit her on-line guestbook at http://sirwrangler.com/bradley/

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