Ruth “Dutch” Hortenstine Hale, 85, of Muskogee, Oklahoma passed away Wednesday, February 8, 2012 with her loving family by her side. She was born March 11, 1926 in Gays, Illinois to Henry Hortenstine and Stella May Young Hortenstine. Ruth graduated high school in 1944 in Mattoon, Illinois. She began her career working for the Oklahoma Department of Human Services from which she retired in 1977.

“Dutch” enjoyed planting flowers and gardening. She also was an antique dealer. She attended First Christian Church in Stigler, Oklahoma and the Enterprise Church in Enterprise, Oklahoma until she moved to Muskogee where she attended Boulevard Christian Church.

“Dutch” was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Stella Hortenstine; daughter, Mary Ann Hale; brothers, Irving, Mark, Robert, and Dan; sisters, Hazel, Fern, Helen, and Alice.

She is survived by her children, Lina Prater and husband Charles of Tulsa, Ladney “L J” Hale and wife, Chris of Tannehill; Jim Hale and wife, Bobbi of Muskogee; grandchildren, Michael Hale and wife, Kristie of Muskogee, Clint Hale and wife, Robin of Whitefield, Dustin Hale of Muskogee, Lucas Hale and wife, Gretchen of Sapulpa, Lori Cook and husband, Steve of Muskogee, and Jenny Evans of Oklahoma City; great grandchildren, Dylan, Mary Ann, Kinley, Klayre, Kalli, Kylie, Jenna, Michael Hale, Madison and Montana Cook, and Morgan Evans; brother, Jake Hortenstine and wife, Virginia of Mattoon, IL; sister-in-law, Carolyn Hortenstine of Ramsey, IL; and special friends, Joyce Goodson, Linda Campbell, and Freda deGruchy.

Family requests memorials be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Oklahoma/Arkansas Chapter, 2448 E. 81st Street, Suite 3000, Tulsa, OK  74137-4250; or call 1-800-272-3900.

Family will receive friends 6-8 p.m., Sunday, February 12, 2013 at Cornerstone Funeral Home.

Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, February 13, 2012 at Cornerstone Funeral Home Chapel with Mr. James McCracken and Mr. Steve Moss officiating. Interment will follow at Greenhill Cemetery in Muskogee.  Pallbearers will be Mike Hale, Clint Hale, Dustin Hale, Lucas Hale, David Reed, and Andy Hortenstine.

Funeral services are under the direction of Cornerstone Funeral Home and Crematory, 1830 N. York Street, Muskogee, Oklahoma.  Condolences may be made to the family at www.cornerstoneofmuskogee.com