Elaine Ruhlman (née Greenhaw) passed away on December 10, 2023, at the age of 79 in Kennewick, Washington following a year of declining health associated with Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP).

Elaine was born on March 30, 1944, in Snowball, Arkansas, the seventh (and final) child of Jim and Ethel Greenhaw. She was a devoted public health nurse and teacher who had a remarkable ability to connect with people and make them feel at ease. Elaine dedicated her career to working with children and was particularly passionate about helping those in need.

Elaine met the love of her life, Bill Ruhlman, in 1967 when he was on shore leave from the Navy in Hawaii and they married in 1969. Elaine and Bill traveled widely during their life together, visiting Europe, the Caribbean, Canada, Mexico, and Central America in addition to most of the 48 contiguous United States. In her later years, Elaine enjoyed traveling with her great-niece, Mandi Wooten, to Ireland and England and all around the U.S.

Elaine's infectious laugh and subtle sense of humor endeared her to everyone she met. She exemplified Christian values and primarily showed her love for others through her generosity and culinary skills. Her chewy ginger cookies, cashew oatmeal cookies, gooey butter cake, enchilada casserole, poppyseed chicken, fried okra, fruit cobblers, "BTS" cake, and "crack squares" became legendary among those fortunate enough to experience them.

Elaine received her Bachelor of Nursing degree from Fresno State University after proudly attended Laton High School in Laton, California. She dedicated her life to serving communities as a public health nurse in California, Florida, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Washington. She also served as an adjunct faculty member at Columbia Basin College in Pasco, Washington, where she taught health and safety classes to aspiring early childhood education professionals. Elaine was particularly proud of her work with migrant children, using her Spanish-speaking skills to provide care and comfort for children during vaccinations, lead (Pb) testing, and eye/ear examinations.

In her free time, Elaine was an avid reader, consuming nearly 30 books in the last two months of her life alone. She amassed a personal library that she generously left to her heirs and the Kennewick Library over the years. She also enjoyed watching Hallmark movies, traveling, spoiling her grandchildren, playing pinochle, and cooking elaborate family meals.

Elaine worshipped with the Church of Christ in Richland, WA, and her faith played an important role in her life, serving as a strong pillar of support for her during her entire life.

Elaine is survived by her only child, Judi Hames (husband, Mike) of Kennewick, WA. She also leaves behind her three cherished grandchildren: Makayla (husband, Kellan) Corbitt of Issaquah, WA; Tianna Hames of Berkley, MI; and Rachel Ivanoff (husband, Quinn Balas) of Kennewick, WA. Elaine is also survived by her two great-grandchildren, Colette and Duncan Corbitt of Issaquah, WA, who both brought her overwhelming joy in her final years.

Elaine also leaves behind her beloved sister-in-law, Anne (née Stanley) Greenhaw of Republic, MO; stepdaughter, Cara Roxas (husband, Bob) of San Diego, CA; step-granddaughter, Julia Robbins of San Diego, CA; and numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom she greatly adored. Additionally, Elaine had many unofficially adopted children and grandchildren whose lives she positively impacted, primarily: Dawn, Jerry, Dedra, and Joshua Maxwell; and Mark, Teri, Tyler, Bryce, and Meagan Stevens; and Milo Ren, all of the Tri-Cities area.

Elaine's only romantic love, her husband of nearly 40 years, Bill, predeceased her; as did her stepdaughter, Ann Ruhlman; all six of Elaine's older siblings; and her parents.

A small graveside service will be held in the spring of 2024, where Elaine's ashes will be laid to rest alongside her beloved husband in the Grangeville cemetery in Armona, California.

In memory of Elaine, the family kindly requests donations to Benton Franklin Head Start, an organization she passionately supported throughout her life. Elaine recognized the transformative power of early childhood education, especially for children facing economic or physical disadvantages. Contributions can be made in Elaine's honor by check or cash to:

Benton Franklin Head Start

Attn: Magen Russell

1549 S. Georgia Ave. Suite B

Richland, WA 99352

Benton Franklin Head Start is a 501(c)(3) charity.

Hillcrest Funerals and Cremation in Kennewick, WA, provided cremation services.