Ruth Marie Ness

Our mother, Ruth Marie Ness passed away November 24, 2021, just 2 months shy of her 100th birthday. She was the second of three daughters born to Milo L and Pearl M. Nesheim and was born in Primrose Township near New Glarus, Wisconsin. Not long after she was born, the family moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where they lived for most of the next 20 years. Ruth graduated from South High School in Minneapolis and then attended a year of business school. She took a job with Employers Mutual of Wausau Insurance Company where she worked with Margaret Ness who became a close friend. It was through Margaret that Ruth met the love of her life, Margaret’s brother, Donald.

Ruth and Donald were married June 29th, 1946 after which they moved to Morris, Minnesota, where Donald worked as a pharmacist for 2 years. Then, after an extremely brief stay in Sheridan, Wyoming, Ruth and Don moved to Boise where they made their home and raised 4 children. While her children were young, Ruth was a fulltime wife and mother which she believed were the most important jobs in her life. Although she eventually worked outside the home again, it wasn’t until after the 4 children had moved out on their own.

When Ruth and Don became “empty nesters”, they moved to Eagle, Idaho. At this time, Ruth and Don began exploring the world. Ruth was extremely interested in learning about different countries and cultures in our world. Her first trip out of the country with Don was to Norway which was where both sides of the family originated. Over the following years, they visited many different countries including Russia, Israel, Turkey, Spain, and France to name just a few. For years, Ruth could recall amazing details about their travels which she shared with others. It seemed that any time one of her children visited a foreign country, Ruth could share a story from when she had been there as well.

Ruth was active with her family when her children were young and enjoyed both downhill and cross country skiing. She golfed well into her eighties. Mother was a very social individual: she could talk to anyone about anything and enjoyed many opportunities to do so. She listened to classical music all the time and enjoyed attending the Boise Philharmonic. One of her great pleasures was reading, especially inspirational books on philosophy and spirituality.

After Don died in 1997, Ruth continued to live in her own home in Eagle until September 2021 at which time she went to live with her son and daughter-in-law in Boise.

Survivors include her four children¸ Cynthia, Janet, Jonathan (Nancy), and Eric (Anne), six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Finally, she is survived by her best friend of 73 years, Martha Owen.

At Ruth’s request, there will be no service.