Irene Rufer, 92
August 16, 2011
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Aug. 19 at the Cheney United Methodist Church with a luncheon to follow for former Chattaroy Elementary School teacher Irene Rufer, 92, who passed away Aug. 8 in Spokane.
Born on Sept. 4, 1918, in Hillsboro, Ore., to Jacob and Flora (Wright) Rufer, she attended schools in Holbrook and Silverton, Ore. She attended high school in Spangle, Wash.
She continued her education at Eastern Washington University where she received her bachelor’s degree in education and later received her master's degree.
Her teaching career began at Deep Creek where she taught the upper four grades and was also the custodian and coach. Her softball team won the county championship. She taught grades 5-6 at Chattaroy and later grades 4-5 at Sprague.
She taught many years in Spokane School District 81. She taught third grade at Hamilton Elementary, was a guidance counselor at Havermale Junior High and then at Sacajawea Junior High.
She moved to Central Staff and her last position was that of manager of Loma Vista Guidance Center.
Miss Rufer was president of American Childhood Education and served on many committees. She was also president of her Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and held other offices as well.
After retiring, she served as secretary for the administrative council and in various other capacities at Cheney United Methodist Church.
Traveling and golfing with friends were among the many activities she enjoyed.
She was devoted to her family and enjoyed participating in many family events.
Miss Rufer spent the last three years of her life at Clare Bridge of Spokane.
She was preceded in death by her brother, Jacob Rufer.
She is survived by two sisters, Rosina Fairbanks and Lorene Remmers; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Cheney United Methodist Church, 204 4th St., Cheney, WA 99004 or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Cheney Funeral Chapel was in charge of arrangements.
An online guest book is available at chenyfuneral.com.
