Hermiston Resident, Ruth Dreger, Dies at 87

Ruth A. Dreger, of Hermiston, died on April 13, 2014 in Hermiston at the age of 87.

She was born on Feb. 21, 1927 in Watertown, S.D. Ruth was raised and attended schools in Watertown, S.D. She moved to Hermiston in 1950 where she has lived since. Ruth worked at Smitty’s Pancake House which later became The Ranch Café near Woodpecker Truck during the 1960s. She later worked as a cook, a waitress, and later a greeter at the Crossroads Truck Stop in Umatilla from the 1970s until the early 1990s. Ruth enjoyed bowling and baking cakes and pies.

She is survived by her daughter, Judy Noth and husband Danny, Stanfield; son, Bill Dreger, Hermiston; brother, Eldon Cates and his wife Mary, Hood River; two grandsons, Chuck and Jeff and his wife Donna; and great-grandson, Brogan.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Anna Roethler Cockrell and stepfather, Clarence; and a brother, Charles.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, April 21, 2014 at 11 a.m. Burns Mortuary Chapel in Hermiston.

Private family burial will be at the Hermiston Cemetery.

Those who wish may make contributions in Ruth’s memory to the American Cancer Society.

Please sign the condolence book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.

Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.