Ruth Ann Juris

Ruth was born in Prosser, WA on May 9, 1953 and died in her home in Plains on Jan. 22, 2022.

Ruth started out on the move and kept up the pace most of her life. Before the age of two she traveled back and forth across the Atlantic Ocean and the Continental USA. Tom, her father, was in the army from 1952-54 and it was possible for the family to join him in France. So Ruthie, as she was called, and her mother, Helen, embarked on a long trans Atlantic flight and a grueling return journey on a troopship with her little brother, Ron.

She grew up on a wheat ranch in Bickleton, WA where she attended elementary and high school, graduating in 1971. She was the first, lone member of the Bickleton Girl's HS Track Team and Cross Country Team and continued her passion for running at the University of Washington on the Women's Track Team. She did two years of undergraduate work at UW before transferring to Washington State University in 1973. She was accepted into WSU's School of Veterinary Medicine in 1974, graduated in 1978 and began a lifelong career as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.

Upon graduation she was hired by a prominent equine practice in Danbury CT. She became licensed to practice in CT, NY, and NJ. Besides clinical and mobile veterinary work she also worked at several major race tracks. She continued working in this tri-state area for more than 30 years, switching from large animals to small animals in order to continue to work. She loved surgery and preferred on call emergency work and difficult procedures.

She moved to Plains, MT in 2013 to recuperate and perhaps retire after a tough spell of illness and setbacks after hurricane Sandy. But work was Ruth's life and with the help of many people she was able to set up a clinic of her own, a life long dream. She continued to work as long as she could. She will be missed by her many clients and friends there who knew her affectionately as Dr Ruth.

Ruth is survived by her parents, Tom and Helen Juris, Bickleton, brother Ron Juris (Kathy), Bickleton, sisters Margie Juris, Plains, MT and Carol Juris (Doug Hunter) Olympia WA. Nephew Andy Juris (Jen), Bickleton, niece Lacie Gevaert (Mark) and great nephew Lincoln, Lake Stevens, WA, her aunt BevJuris, Roosevelt, WA and many cousins.

No funeral, but planning on a memorial at a later date. Memorial tributes can be made in the form of a donation to your favorite charity.