Ruth E. Gascoigne

Ruth E. Gascoigne, 100, of Bridgman, formerly of St. Joseph, passed away Saturday evening, February 17, at Jordan’s Nursing Home in Bridgman. The Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. Ruth was born June 4, 1906 in Chicago. She was one of six children born to Louis and Agnes Swanson. In 1932 she married Earl Gascoigne. Together they owned Gascoigne & Owen Advertising Agency which specialized in horticulture products. They also built the “Silver Heels” the first steel hulled yacht on the Great Lakes and spent many happy years on this boat. Her husband Earl was the first Commodore of the St. Joseph Yacht Club. Ruth wrote many articles and took pictures for Lakeland Boating. She was an active longtime member of Saron Lutheran Church. Additionally Ruth was a longtime member of Berrien Hills Country Club. She enjoyed gardening, golfing, traveling, and spending time with her family. She was a wonderful and generous person who will be greatly missed. Ruth is survived by her brother, Robert Swanson of St. Joseph; her nieces Nancy Milius of Baroda and Karen Margol of Stevensville; nephew, Alan Swanson from Phoenix, AZ; and by numerous great nieces and great nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Earl in 1956; her brother, Walford Swanson; and by her sisters, Margaret Johnson, Lillian Matson, and Louise Meyer. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Tuesday, February 20, 2007, at 12:00 noon, at Saron Evangelical Lutheran Church, 510 Main Street, in St. Joseph, with Rev. Philip Nordstrand officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family prior to the service beginning at 11:00 A.M. in the church. Memorials may be made to Saron Evangelical Church. Those who wish to send the family a message of condolence may do so online at www.starks-menchinger.com.