Oct. 30, 1918 - May 7, 2009

Ruth Almena Loring, 90, passed away peacefully Thursday at her home in Albany just 24 days before her 70th wedding anniversary.

Ruth was born to Guy and Edna Powell on a farm 10 miles northwest of Cambridge, Neb.

Music was a big part of her family growing up, as her father was an old-time fiddler. He taught Ruth along with her two brothers and sister to play guitar, mandolin, fiddle and banjo, and they, along with their father, played for dances around their community for years.

In the spring of 1937 the family moved from Nebraska to Meridian, Idaho. There they got a job playing for a weekly radio program broadcast over Boise, Nampa and Caldwell stations.

During this time, Ruth met and fell in love with Don Loring, who was also musical, and they were married in Boise, Idaho, on May 31, 1939. In 1941 Don was transferred from Boise to Albany with Montgomery Ward so they settled, had their family and have always called this home. After her children were raised, Ruth worked as a hairdresser in Albany at Reolla's Beauty Salon until she retired.

In 1963, after a trip to Weiser, Idaho, to the National Old Time Fiddler's contest, Ruth and Don were reunited with music again and later helped to organize the Oregon Old Time Fiddler's Association, in which they have been members for 44 years. Ruth accompanied many fiddle champions and won several trophies throughout the years.

After retirement Ruth and husband Don loved to travel in their motor home and made many trips across the states, where they searched out fiddling contests and met many new friends and musicians. Needless to say, Ruth loved music.

Ruth is survived by her husband, Don Loring; four children, Donita Hellmann of Tacoma, Wash., Janet Rokosz and husband Matthew of Hawley, Pa., Gene Loring and wife Sharon of Albany, and Jeri Caudle of Albany; 13 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and brother Lyle Powell of Mountain Home, Idaho.

She was preceded in death by her sister, Merna Potts; and brother Lloyd Powell.

At Ruth's request, a private celebration of her life will be at a later date. The family respectfully requests memorial donations in her name be made to the Oregon Old Time Fiddler's Association or to Evergreen Hospice.

Twin Oaks Funeral Home is handling arrangements.