RUOFF, Ruth M.

Marin (CA) Independent Journal Monday, October 10, 1977, p 4 Funeral for Ruth M. Ruoff, former owner of the historic Olema Hotel and secretary to two Marin County Sheriffs, will be held tomorrow at 11am at Keaton's Mortuary in San Rafael. Mrs Ruoff died Saturday at a local hospital following a brief illness. She was 66. Mrs Ruoff retired two years ago after serving as secretary to the Marin County Sheriff for 23 years. She worked for the late David Menary Sr and Sheriff Louis P Mountanos, current sheriff. She witnessed the Marin County courthouse shoot-out in 1970 from her civic center office. The battle, in which Judge Harold J Haley died, occurred below the balcony near her desk. She began her work for the county at the former County Farm Hospital in Lucas Valley and after four years moved to the secretary's position. She first worked in the old courthouse in San Rafael and then moved to the civic center. She also owned the old Olema Hotel which is being restored. Mrs Ruoff originally purchased the hotel with plans to convert it to a nursing home. A native of Arizona, she moved to California as a child. She lived in Marin for 40 years. Mrs Ruoff worked as a postal carrier during World War II. She also worked for the federal government carrying payrolls, including the one for airmen at Hamilton Air Force Base. She worked at the County Hospital in Lucas Valley for four years before taking on the secretarial duties for the sheriff. She was married to the late Jack Ruoff who died in 1968. She is survived by two sons, Dale Ruoff of Oklahoma and Donald Ruoff of Nevada; two daughters, Anne Lehman and Denise Resiback, both of San Rafael; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Burial is at Mount Tamalpais Cemetery, San Rafael. The family prefers memorial contributions to the American Heart Fund.