Ruthie Kidder

Ruth “Ruthie” Elizabeth (Paulsen-Schoenstein) of El Dorado Hills passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on December 11th, 2023 at the age of 76. Ruthie was born on November 29, 1947, the 3rd of four Kidder daughters. She graduated from San Carlos High School in 1965. In 1967, she married Tom Paulsen and had two daughters, Tina and Tami, whom they raised in the S.F. Bay Area and later in Placerville, CA. Motherhood was Ruthie’s greatest passion and success in her life. Ruthie began her business career at her father’s insurance company, Kidder-Robertson in San Carlos. In 1993, Ruthie moved back to the Bay Area and began a career in Human Resources. She completed the Certificate Program in Human Resource Management from U.C. Berkley. Ruthie worked at Sequoia Hospital Human Resources and later moved to management positions at Bay Area Bank, Greater Bay Bancorp and eventually Satellite Dialysis Corporation.

Ruthie met and married her second husband, George Schoenstein, in 2004. She eventually left the corporate world to assist George in a startup physical therapy practice in Redwood City. For over 20 years Ruthie grew the business, managing the staffing, billing, marketing and statistical analysis of a national worker selection testing network of 200 test administrators. Ruthie was known for her loyalty and her friendly, efficient, no nonsense work ethic. Ruthie also worked hand in hand with George creating a Blues band, a Blues jam and community Blues festival for over 12 years. Upon her return to El Dorado County in 2014, she volunteered her time in local charities and with the El Dorado Hills Newcomer Club. Ruthie also enjoyed bowling, shopping, movies, crafts, playing cards with her many cherished friends, as well as spending time with her family and her beloved four-legged friend, Teddy. Her vast network of loyal friends spans a large part of Northern California and beyond. Ruthie will be especially missed by her long time traveling friends of the El Dorado Hills area.

Ruthie is preceded in death by her parents Jean and Ray Kidder. She is survived by her daughters Tina Paulsen Shaw (Brian) of Brunswick, Georgia and Tami Paulsen Jilbert of Rescue, CA; four grandchildren, Haley Shaw LeGrand and Kyle, Nick and Alexa Jilbert, as well as 1.5 great Grandchildren, Christopher LeGrand and baby LeGrand due in April of 2024. She is also survived by her sisters Raegene Castle (Jack) of Redwood City, CA, Marilyn Nicksic (Mike) of Eugene, OR and Kathy Beasley of Eagle, ID, along with 7 nieces and nephews and an even larger number of grand nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life is planned for January 27, 2024 at the Four Seasons Lodge in El Dorado Hills, CA - 3186 Four Seasons Drive, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762 at 3pm.

A Catholic Requiem Mass will be held at Nativity Catholic Church in Menlo Park March 16, 2024. A reception celebrating Ruthie’s life will follow at Highlands Community Club in Redwood City.

The family would like to thank the compassionate and professional medical staff at Dignity Health - Mercy Hospital of Folsom. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent in Ruthie’s name to:

Dignity Health - Mercy Hospital of Folsom - 1650 Creekside Drive, Folsom, CA 95630

Ruthie left us with many stories, memories, laughter, love, tears and hugs. We celebrate a life well- lived and a person much loved.

Click this link to view additional details about Ruthie's Services, including any available live streams: https://my.gather.app/remember/ruthie-kidder