Ruth Maria Friestad was born in Tortugas, New Mexico on February 16, 1924.  She was one of eight siblings born to Juana and Santiago Salvatierra - six girls and two boys.

She is survived by her sister Marcella Anaya of Las Vegas, Nevada and Mary Lou Hayes of Sacramento, California; her two children, Greg Friestad and his wife Kay of Hemet, California and Deborah Schuster and her husband Joe of Parker Dam, Arizona; six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Ruth graduated from Palo Verde Union High School in 1943.  Noted she was one of the best girl athletes at the school.  She was a clerk typist at Luke Field AFB and played second base for the "Luke-Imps", the base softball team.  She moved up north to Sunnyvale, California to work in the canneries and came back to Blythe in 1951.  She worked at the Surplus Department Store (later Yellow Mart) and met her husband of 50 years, John Friestad.  She worked as a teacher's aide at Margaret White Elementary for migrant children and was also a member of the Beta Omega Sorority until she "retired" to enjoy her home and family.

Ruth had a 'green thumb' and loved to garden, cook and all the family activities and celebrations that came along.  But most of all, she loved to dance.

May her soul be forever comforted by our Lord Jesus Christ in Heaven as she again is reunited with her husband, John, for Eternity.

The family is asking in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the local Hospice Chapter or the American Cancer Society.

Services will be held for Ruth on Friday, April 6th with Rosary beginning at 9:00 am and Mass beginning at 10:00 am all held at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church.  Graveside services will immediately follow at Palo Verde Cemetery.