Ruth M (Klingele) Fischer, age 89, passed away peacefully at Chaplaincy Hospice House in Kennewick Washington following a hip fracture complicated by dementia, and a persistently slow heart rate. Ruth was born in Yakima, Washington to Leo and Florence Klingele. She was raised on an apple orchard ranch in Terrace Heights, Yakima, where she developed her life-long love of animals, plants, and birds. She was the only daughter of five children and was proud to point out that she could help her father with farm chores as well as any of her brothers could. Early in her childhood Ruth developed strong survival skills. At the age of five she watched her childhood home burn to the ground, though fortunately, everyone survived. When she was sixteen years old, she was hit by a truck while riding her bicycle, sustaining a serious head injury from which she recovered. Ruth met her lifetime partner, Larry Fischer, while ice skating. Larry used to state that Ruth could skate circles around him and helped him stay on his feet. This was the beginning of a lifelong relationship. They married on June 11, 1955 and raised a family of four children in Richland, Washington. Her children share many memories including attending the 1962 World's Fair in Seattle, falling in love with books at the public library, visiting art galleries, adventuring in the family's refurbished bus-camper, and learning to waterski on the Columbia River. Once her children had all begun school, Ruth finished her college education at Columbia Basin College in Pasco, WA and became a registered nurse. She worked as a psychiatric nurse at Columbia Basin Mental Health Center. Upon leaving that position, she supported newborn babies and their parents as a neonatal nurse at Kadlec Hospital. Ruth enjoyed a variety of interests in her lifetime. She became a master gardener and consulted with the public through the WSU Extension Agency. She was an active birder, traveling as far as Texas to observe bird migration, and she participated in Audubon's bird counts. She loved reading, photography and varied art media, and was a volunteer at the Allied Arts Gallery (now Gallery at the Park). Ruth was an active member of All Saints' Episcopal Church in Richland. When she was no longer able to volunteer on church projects, she felt it was important for her to continue supporting the church through prayer. Ruth is survived by her daughters Terri (Theresa) Fischer (and husband Nathan Caldwell), Carol Fischer (and spouse Jan Manske), and Dawn (Donna Fischer) Pasin (and husband Dave Pasin). Her grandchildren include Craig (Fischer) Chappelle, Katie Blank, Alina Blank, and Gabriel Manske. Ruth's one great grandchild is Wyatt Chappelle. She was preceded in death by her husband Larry (Lawrence) Fischer, son Al (Allen) Fischer, her parents Leo and Florence Klingele, and her brothers Raymond, Tom, Paul, and George Klingele. Ruth's family is grateful for the care she received at Windsong of Southridge Memory Care, where she lived for the last two years. Her family also greatly appreciates the staff at Chaplaincy Hospice House where she and her family were provided compassionate care and support during Ruth's final days. A service in Ruth's memory will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, July 22 at All Saints' Episcopal Church, 1322 Kimball Avenue in Richland, WA, followed by a reception in the parish hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lower Columbia Basin Audubon Society, the Benton-Franklin Humane Society, or to All Saints' Episcopal Church. The family invites you to share your thoughts and memories to the online guest book under condolences listed above.