Cecelia Jean Ruff

Cecelia Jean Ruff, 91, of Kellogg, ID, passed away on April 14, 2025 at Mountain Valley of Cascadia Health and Rehabilitation in Kellogg, ID. Cecelia was born on September 13, 1933 in Walton, NY to Lawrence and Gladys Armstrong. After graduating from Walton High School, Cecelia went on to study nursing.

In 1955, Cecelia married Philip Ruff and they moved to Missoula, MT for Philip to study at the University of Montana. While her husband completed his degree, Cecelia supported them with her work as a teller at Western Montana National Bank. After Philip’s graduation, they moved several times for his job and in each place they lived, Cecelia built a home and a place in the community where she raised their children and volunteering with various organizations. She also sold Avon and was a top-earner as well as a member of the President’s Club for many years.

Besides being a caring and involved mother, Cecelia also influenced the lives of many other children through her volunteerism in the Boy Scouts of America. Starting in 1968 as a Den Leader with her own son, Daniel, she continued to give her time and attention to hundreds of young men as she helped them through the requirements for merit badges from basketry to cooking to citizenship in the community. She spent her summers teaching woodcarving, leatherwork, and more, while running the handicrafts area at Camp Easton on Lake Coeur d’Alene. In 1988, Cecelia was awarded the Silver Beaver by the Inland Northwest Council of the Boy Scouts of America, a council-wide distinguished service award given to adults who have made an impact on the lives of youths through service given to the council.

In 1976, Ceceila settled with Philip and their family in Kellogg, ID. A life-long seamstress, she began to teach quilting, sharing her love for sewing and her talent for color. In 1987, when there was a gap in the Toys for Tots program in the Silver Valley, Cecelia and her friends decided that they would be the bridge to bring holiday cheer to children in need. They sewed dolls and stuffed animals, gathered donations for toys from local businesses and Santa’s Workshop came to life. From that small beginning, Cecelia grew Santa’s Workshop into an organization that reached children and families throughout the Silver Valley. She was proud to have been a part of the beginning and prouder still that what she started is still spreading cheer.

At the same time as she built Santa’s Workshop, she was also an active member in the American Legion Auxiliary Girls State program, encouraging young women along their path to responsible citizenship. She was named a Citizen of the Year by the Kellogg Elks. She was a long-time poll worker and organized volunteers for the local elections for many years.

Cecelia is survived by her son, Daniel; daughter, Lisa and her husband, Kirk; grandson, Alex and his wife, Deborah; and a great-grandchild, Oaklee.

At her request, no services are planned at this time.

Memories of Cecelia and messages of condolence may be shared online with her family at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com. Shoshone Funeral Services, Kellogg, is assisting the Ruff family with arrangements.