Ruthe C. Kovach

Ruthe C. Kovach, age 83 of La Grande died, Saturday, August 7, 2004 at her home. At her request, there will be no services held. Arrangements are entrusted to Daniels Chapel of the Valley.

Ruthe C. Kovach was born on September 22, 1920, the daughter of William Lewis and Mary Veronica (Gillganon) Dusenberry in Junction City, Oregon. Mrs. Kovach attended school in Weiser, Idaho where she graduated with the class of 1938, shortly there after she moved to Lewiston, Idaho where she attended the school of nursing and worked in the St. Joseph Hospital in Lewiston. In 1945 she enlisted in the United States Army nurses corp. where she served as a second lieutenant during World War II, she was honorably discharged in 1946. After her service to her country, she worked for the Atomic Energy Commission in Los Alamos, New Mexico before finally settling in the Grande Ronde Valley where she worked as a nurse at the St. Joseph Hospital in La Grande. On July 28, 1948 Ruthe married Jeff Kovach, DVM in La Grande; together the couple lived in their farmhouse in the valley.

Ruthe enjoyed crafts, horses, helping her husband with the veterinary clinic and most of all spending time with her family.

She is survived by her husband, Jeff Kovach, DVM of La Grande; children, F. Michael Kovach Jr. and Dr. Nicholas Lee Kovach both of Bellevue, Washington, Dr. Peter Anthony Kovach of Eugene, Oregon and Rebecca Jo Sullivan of La Grande; three grandchildren; and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by brothers, Ray and Bob Dusenberry and a sister Regina Barrett.

Those who wish may make contributions in memory of Ruthe Kovach to the Alzheimer's Association in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850.