- Date Of Birth: February 18, 1926
- Date Of Death: April 17, 2016
- State: Idaho
Ruth O’Connor passed on into the arms of her Heavenly Father on April 17th, 2016, glad to finally be free of worldly cares and burdens.
Ruth was born on February 18, 1926 on the family ranch south of Baker, Montana, to Sten R. Wiman and Ida A. Wiman. She joined two older brothers and was later joined by a third brother. Ruth grew up on the ranch, working hard, as ranch life during the depression demanded, and it was something that gave her a lifelong work ethic and thrifty outlook. She went to one room schools until high school then moved into Baker.
Ruth married Harold A. O’Connor in Baker on November 23, 1946. They ranched with her father for a while then later moved to the Powder River area to help Harold’s sister and her husband. At that time, their first child was born. They also ranched out of north central Wyoming where their second child was born, before moving to Star, Idaho in 1952. In 1955 they moved to Caldwell, Idaho, and their third child was born. They raised their family in Caldwell. Ruth worked for the newspaper for a few years and for Birdseye Frozen Foods. Later she was employed by Glen L. Evans, learning to tie flies. She didn’t care much for fishing, but admired the art she learned and presented beautiful flies to the fisherman in her family.
Ruth especially enjoyed lifelong friendships with her older brother, Morlan and his dear wife, Sheila, whom Mom thought of as a sister, and with her younger brother, Kenneth and his dear wife, Pat. Mom valued these relationships deeply and kept up with the families as they grew and changed.
Ruth had a talent for making great pies, for designing and making beautiful quilts and for crocheting.
Ruth and Harold were married for nearly 50 years when he passed away in September of 1996. She is survived by her son, Keith; two daughters, Kay and Carolyn; son-in-law, Jerry; and her beloved grandson, Seth, and his wife, Melody. Her dear friends, Lucille Davenport and Maxine Winters also survive her. She will be missed by her ‘sister’, Sheila and her children; and by her brother, Kenneth’s families, as well.
