Ruth Elizabeth Carlson

Ruth Elizabeth Carlson, born February 16, 1935, in Seattle, Washington, died peacefully at her home at Hearthstone Green Lake on July 2, 2026. Ruth was the oldest of nine children born to Jerry and Peggy Oaksmith. She grew up on Federal Avenue East on Capitol Hill in Seattle, where she would later raise her own family. Ruth attended St. Patrick's Grade School, Forest Ridge High School, and Seattle University, earning an education degree. She was a long-time member of St. Patrick's Church, Seattle. While attending Seattle University, Ruth met the love of her life, Bill Carlson. They married in 1956 and began their life together in Germany, where Bill served in the U.S. Army and Ruth taught at the Army base. Ruth and Bill were blessed with five children. 

She was deeply involved in their schooling and sports at Blessed Sacrament and St. Joseph's Grade Schools, and Blanchet High School. She gave her children an idyllic childhood, with summers away from the city on Treasure Island in Puget Sound and, later, at the family home in Gig Harbor where they welcomed all of their grandchildren. Ruth was active in the Association for Catholic Childhood and volunteered many hours at St. Francis House and FISH (Friends in Service Here). Ruth and Bill developed a close circle of friends in Seattle and Tacoma, where they were longtime members of Fircrest Golf Club. 

They shared many winters with these friends at Kona Country Club in Hawaii. Ruth's Catholic faith and family were always at the center of her life. Her family takes comfort in knowing she is reunited in heaven with God and with her loved ones, especially Bill, Sue and David. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Carlson; daughter, Susan Campbell; son, David Carlson; parents, Jerry and Peggy Oaksmith; brothers, Mauri, John and James Oaksmith; and sister, Susan Feeder.

 Ruth is survived by her daughters, Kathy Christman (Bill), Margaret Harder (Mark), and Chrissy Jensen (Lance); daughter-in-law, Betsy Carlson; grandchildren, Jessica, Kenny, Joey, Sean, Max, Cole, Evan, Ryan, Mallory, Willie, Katie, Connor, Hailey, and Rachel; and nine great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters, Cammy Hendrix and Mary Nichols and brothers, Jerry Oaksmith and Steve Oaksmith. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at St. Joseph Parish, 732 18th Ave. E., Seattle, WA 98112. Reception to follow in the parish hall. Remembrances may be made in Ruth's name to St. Francis House in Seattle.

Please share memories & photos on the guestbook located below. 

Arrangements Entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Homes ~ Seattle, Washington