ENUMCLAW, Wash. — With sadness, the members of Lodge 738 announce the Jan. 3, 2003, passing of Sis. Ruth (Mattila) Lunka, 70, in Seattle.
Sis. Lunka was born Oct. 25, 1932 in Mt. Iron, Minn., to Heino and Amelia Mattila.
She met her future husband, Franklin, on a blind date. They were married Feb. 16, 1952. Ruth, Frank and their five children moved to Washington in January 1967.
In Washington, she worked for the Frederick & Nelson Department Store for nine years as a sales clerk, and for Boeing Co. as a lead until retiring in 1994 after 17 years of service.
Sis. Lunka was very active in church activities at the Marcus Whitman Presbyterian Church, including her service as a deacon. She enjoyed and loved her family, dancing, polka music, shopping, cooking, having lunch with her girls, participating in Lodge activities and participating in the Retired Union Pacific Railroad Workers monthly gatherings. She especially enjoyed following her son Ted's numerous band performances in the Gary Dime-Ted Lunka Band. She was also an active and highly-regarded solid contributor to Lodge 738 serving at various times in the posts of treasurer, vice president, president and auditor.
Sis. Lunka is survived by her husband of 50 years, Franklin; her children, Susan, Kathleen Rivera, Nancy Schwehm, Marilyn Timlick and Ted Lunka; her grandchildren, James and Todd Schlidt, Chris Timlick, Nick and Megan Zander and Alex and Taylor Lunka; a great-grandson, Trevor Wiley; a brother, Raymond Mattila; and her three sisters, Roselle Parsons, Beth Lawenz and July Mattila.
On behalf of the Slovene National Benefit Society, we extend our deepest sympathy to Sis. Lunka's family and friends.
Page Created: March 9, 2003
Last Updated: March 9, 2003
©Copyright 2003 Gary L. Gorsha
