The Skamania County Pioneer, Stevenson, WA., August 28, 1996, page 2

FORMER POSTMASTER DIES AT 88

     Ruby Dolly Sooter of Underwood died August 24, 1996 in Hood River. She was 88.
     Mrs. Sooter was born July 8, 1908 in Landing, Idaho to Margaret (Wilcox) and LaFayette A. Skeen.
     She was born in the family log home in Idaho and grew up in Idaho. She graduated Cum Laude from Whitman College in Walla Walla with a degree in Romance Languages and a teaching certificate. She worked in Walla Walla for about ten years.
     Mrs. Sooter married Elmer Rice Sooter on August 24, 1936. They moved into this area in 1942.
     She worked at various jobs until she was appointed postmaster for the Underwood Post Office, a position she held for 34 years.
     She was a member of Bethel Congregational Church and the Rebekahs. She loved to do handwork, especially knitting and leather. She was a member of the Book Club, and was involved in the creation of the Gorge Heritage Museum in Bingen.
     Mrs. Sooter was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer, in 1980; and five sisters.
     She is survived by sister Elberta Helmick of Molalla, Ore.; nephew Howard Sooter of Underwood; and numerous and other nieces and nephews.
     Services will be today, August 28, 1996 at 1:00 p.m. at the Bethel Congregational Church. The Rev. Sigmund Podlozny, Jr. will officiate. Committal will follow at the Chris Zada Cemetery in Underwood.
     Contributions in her memory may be given to the Gorge Heritage Museum in Bingen.
     Gardner Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

The Enterprise, White Salmon, WA., August 29, 1996, page 18

RUBY SOOTER

     Ruby Dolly Sooter, Underwood, died Aug. 24, 1996, in Hood River, Ore., at the age of 88.
     Mrs. Sooter was born in the family log home on July 8, 1908, in Landing, Idaho to Margaret (Wilcox) and LaFayette A. Skeen. She grew up in Idaho and graduated cum laude from Whitman College in Walla Walla with a degree in Romance Languages and a teaching certificate. She worked in Walla Walla for about 10 years.
     She married Elmer Rice Sooter on Aug. 24, 1936 and they moved here in 1942. She worked at various jobs until she was appointed postmaster for the Underwood Post Office, a position she held for 34 years. Mr. Sooter died in 1980.
     Mrs. Sooter was a member of Bethel Congregational Church and the Rebekahs. She loved to do handwork, especially knitting and leather. She was a member of the Book Club, and involved in the creation of the Gorge Heritage Museum in Bingen.
     Mrs. Sooter is survived by her sister Elberta Helmick, Molalla, Ore.; nephew Howard Sooter, Underwood; and numerous and other nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by five sisters.
     Services for Mrs. Sooter were held at Bethel Congregational Church on August 28, 1996, at 1 p.m., with Rev. Sigmund Podlozny, Jr. officiating. Interment was at Chris Zada Cemetery in Underwood.
     Memorials may be made to the Gorge Heritage Museum in Bingen.
     Arrangements were handled by Gardner Funeral Home in White Salmon.

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©  Jeffrey L. Elmer