Ruth Lillian Sheldon, 87, of Culver, Oregon, passed away August 9, 2026, in Redmond, Oregon. Ruth was born Ruth Lillian Halverson on December 29, 1938, in Tillamook, Oregon, to Carl and Opal Halverson. She grew up in Garibaldi, where she met her future husband, Stan Sheldon, in the second grade at Garibaldi Grade School. Ruth graduated from Neah-Kah-Nie High School in 1957, and she and Stan married on August 19, 1957, beginning nearly 69 years of marriage and partnership.
Ruth and Stan raised their four children in Garibaldi and together owned and operated Sheldon’s Shell in Garibaldi and Sheldon Oil Company in Tillamook. Ruth managed the finances for both businesses, and she and Stan worked side by side throughout their lives, even building three of their own homes from the ground up.
Ruth also proudly volunteered with the Garibaldi Fire Department for 30 years. She began with the Ladies Auxiliary, serving as president, and later became a firefighter and EMT when the department opened its ranks to women. She also helped run the ambulance service before she and Stan retired from the department together in 1994.
A talented and creative woman, Ruth enjoyed painting, pottery, sewing, and cooking. She loved animals, especially cats, and treasured time with her family. After discovering Central Oregon through camping trips to Cove Palisades State Park in the 1980s, Ruth and Stan eventually made Culver their permanent home. They loved the wildlife, acreage, and peaceful “desert oasis” they created together. She will be deeply missed.
Ruth is survived by her husband, Stan Sheldon; daughters Sheri Steinbach of Nehalem and Shirley Scott (Wade) of Culver; sons Mike Sheldon (Niki) of Garibaldi and Shell Sheldon (Lisa) of Beaver; brother Raymond Halverson; 15 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Opal Halverson; brothers Francis “Buck,” Richard “Dick,” James “Jim,” and Eugene “Gene” Halverson; and sisters Genevieve “Jenny” Hunt and Dorothy Bell.
A private burial service will be held in Tillamook, Oregon.
Those wishing to honor Ruth’s memory may make a donation to Cure Alzheimer’s Fund or United Paws of Tillamook.
