Ruth Elaine (Renecker) Ukura Obit

RUTH ELAINE (RENECKER) UKURA, died Oct. 12, 2025. She was born Jan. 25, 1935 and lived most of her school years in Crosby, MN, her working life in Seattle, Washington and retirement in Florence, OR and Yuma, AZ. Living in the Crosby countryside near a lake during her school years was formative for the rest of her life. She had a deep love for nature and animals. The Renecker family moved briefly to western Oregon when she was a teenager. That gave her a life-long affinity for the ocean. So much so that when she met her future husband, Ray Ukura, they discovered a mutual desire to live on the scenic west coast. She spent most of her working life in western Washington-much of it at Boeing in finance. Leisure time was spent hiking and camping in the mountains and the ocean. Family time was always filled with fun- filled holidays and wonderfully crafted dinners. She worked full-time all of her life and yet managed to be the consummate homemaker. Retiring from Boeing, they moved to Florence on the beautiful Oregon Coast. After five years, the wind and rain began to wear thin. They bought a motor home and traveled full time around the country. They had a wonderful time seeing our diverse country. Family had trouble keeping track of them. Finally they decided to settle down in Yuma, AZ, where they lived the rest of their retirement enjoying gardening,  their cats and feeding the various wildlife around the house. Ray passed in 2017. She remained in the family home until Aug. 5, 2025. The last two months were spent in Chuck Nordquist’s and Roberta Ukura’s home in Indio, CA. She is survived by daughters and son-in-laws, Joseph and Rebecca Ukura Hathaway of Pocatello, ID and Chuck Nordquist and Roberta “Bobbi” Ukura of Indio, CA and sister-in-law, Norma Ukura of Marrowstone Island, WA. At her request no services at this time. Donations in memory of Ruth Ukura may be made to the Humane Society of Yuma, AZ.