Ruth A. Kaste

Longtime Puget Island resident, Ruth Annette Kaste, 74, passed away November 27, 2011 at Community Hospice Care Center.

She was born February 21, 1937 to Samuel R. and Fern E. (Cole) Hawkes in Madison, S.D. Ruth was raised in Los Angeles, CA and graduated from Manual Arts High School in 1955. She attended Los Angeles City College, University of Santa Barbara and Cal Poly Tech. On June 22, 1957 she married Wallace “Wally” A. Kaste; he survives her at home.

Ruth was a member of United Church of Christ (Congregational) in Cathlamet for 38 years; playing the piano for the church for several of those years. She was also a past member of the Puget Island Grange and sang with the LCC Choir.

Ruth and Wally owned Puget Island Holsteins and were members of Washington Dairy Federation. They were named Washington State Holstein Breeders of the year in 1988. They were members of the Washington State and National Holstein Associations. Ruth was active as a co-chairman of their youth group for many years.

In addition to her husband, Wally; she is survived by her sons, Daniel W. Kaste (Betti) of Yucaipa, Calif. and Neal R. Kaste (Nancy) of Tillamook, Ore .; her mother, Fern Wilson and her sister, Carolyn Hawkes, both of Irvine, Calif .; her grandchildren, Alan Kaste of Portland, Ore., Mark Kaste and Kristan Kaste, both of Tillamook, Ore .; and several nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Service will be held at 2 p.m., today (Thursday) at United Church of Christ with burial to follow at Greenwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in Ruth Kaste’s name to United Church of Christ or Community Hospice, PO Box 2067, Longview, WA 98632.

Dowling Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.