Ruth C. Barber was born in Clay Center, Kansas, the youngest of five children born to Ottive and Elizabeth (Baer) Kretzmeier. Her parents came from families who had emigrated from Germany. She has fond memories of growing up on a farm and making friends with animals. In spite of setbacks from childhood illnesses, Ruth was able to graduate from Manhattan High School (Kansas) in 1939. Ruth met her husband, the late Jack E. Barber, at the Kansas City Art Institute, where he was taught by the celebrated artist Thomas Hart Benton. During the Second World War, Jack enlisted with the Army Air Corps. Ruth became his “War Bride” on April 25, 1942 when they married in Mobile, Alabama. Upon Jack’s return from the war, the couple settled in Spokane, Washington, where their children were born. In 1967, the family lost their home to a fire, just as Jack was completing his teaching degree. They started over again in Oregon City, where Jack was hired as an art teacher. To help make ends meet, Ruth took on various jobs until she established her own business, “Pies by the Pie Piper”. Ruth is survived by her three children: Clif Barber of Waunakee, Wisconsin; Elayna Einbender of Enumclaw, Washington; April Gardiner of Oregon City. She is the matron to ten grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren (and one on the way). A memorial service for Ruth will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 4, 2010 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 15344 S. Henrici Road, Oregon City. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to LDS Humanitarian Services, or the American Cancer Society.