Ruth Evelyn Friede

Ruth Evelyn Friede, 88, passed away November 28, 2025, while residing in the Beehives Homes Assisted Living Memory Care Facility of Great Falls, Montana. Ruth was born August 6, 1937 in Rimbey, Alberta, Canada to William and Grace Humble. Her parents were Nazarene ministers, so they moved around a lot. Ruth lived in New York, Idaho, Indiana, where she attended high school, and Chinook, Montana, where she graduated from high school in 1955. She then attended the Nazarene College in Nampa, Idaho. Ruth married Lloyd Friede on March 8, 1957 in Nampa and then returned to Chinook. Lloyd and Ruth lived in town for the first few years of their marriage, then in 1963, they bought the O’Hanlon house, which was where First Bank of Montana is currently located. They moved the house west of town and lived there until Lloyd passed away in 2009. Ruth continued to live there until she moved to Great Falls, Montana in 2019.

Ruth worked at several retail stores in Chinook while raising her 3 children. In the early 1980’s, she managed the Tastee Bite Café for several years. She was also on a Women’s Bowling League for many years. She loved spending time with her 6 grandchildren. They loved going to Grandma and Grandpa’s house and making “Tuna Melts”!!

Ruth is survived by her children, Pam Kuhr of Havre, Montana, Steve Friede of Helena, Montana, and Lynda Friede of Bella Vista, Arkansas; her 5 grandchildren, Melissa Litzinger, Jurgen Kuhr (Sarah), Lucas Kuhr, Katie LeMay (Eric), and Philip Kuhr (Andie). Ruth also has 13 great grandchildren, Dylan (Kennedy), Keaden, Sadie, Wyatt, Zane, Arlee, Beckett, Alivia, Elliot, Evelyn, Brooklyn, Alexa and Paul.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd in 2009, grandson Matthew Kuhr in 2004, her parents and brothers Wesley, David, Charles, Walter and Arthur.

The graveside service will be held on Friday, December 5, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at Kuper Memorial Cemetery in Chinook, Montana. The family asks that donations be made to PAWS of Chinook, Montana.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Wilderness Funeral Home of Chinook, Montana.

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