Obituary for
Arden & Ruth Packer
Ruth and Arden Packer
02/05/30 - 03/24/17
08/30/35 - 04/29/17
Ruth Marie (Maxwell) Packer passed away in a care home at the age of 87. Arden Delane Packer passed away in a care home at the age of 81. He only made it 36 days without his beloved wife. We rejoice that they are together forever, free from illness and the pain of separation.
Ruth was born in Lincoln County, Oregon and grew up in the timber camps where her father John Maxwell worked and her mother Lottie Maxwell took care of the family. Arden was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho and later moved to Baker, Oregon where he lived with his parents William and Mable Packer until joining the Army after high school.
Ruth and Arden raised five children: John (Jack) Stanley Pierce, Donna Joy (Pierce) Duclos, Leslie Ray Pierce, Eva Marie (Packer) Pignotti, and Jason William Packer. They had 11 grand-children and lots of great-grandchildren. They lived in the Northwest all their lives except during his Army years. Arden worked as an air traffic controller, and later as a custodian working at ServiceMaster, Willamette University and Community Action Head Start before retiring. Ruth was a homemaker, only venturing into the work force for 8 years in the 90's, when she worked at Salem Family YMCA as an attendant.
Our mother taught us the Golden Rule, and to be kind to others. Our father taught us about the value of hard work. Together they taught us about steadfast love, loyalty and commitment through good and hard times. 57 years together on this earth, together forever in heaven
A Memorial service celebrating both their lives will be held Saturday, June 17, from 12 - 2pm at the Salem Senior Center (50+ Club) at 2615 Portland Rd NE.
Private interment was held at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Or.
