Ruth Vanfleet Jarvis

Ruth Vanfleet Jarvis joined her dear husband Donald on Wednesday, November 8th after a long journey with Alzheimer's disease. Ruth was the youngest child born to her parents Clifton and Veda Larson Vanfleet on March 22, 1938 in Garland, UT. The family moved to Southern California when Ruth was young. A few years later the family lost their father in January 1947. Ruth always felt she needed to help her mother as much as possible. She started cooking, cleaning, and doing yard work to help out. She learned how to be very detailed oriented and precise from her mother. Those skills carried on to the rest of her life.

Ruth met the love of her life, Donald, at a church dance while Donald was serving in the Navy in Long Beach, CA. They married on January 17, 1958. After Donald left the Navy, they moved to Provo, UT where Donald studied at BYU. They welcomed 2 boys while at school and another son after they moved to Seattle. The family welcomed a daughter years later while living in San Jose, CA where they lived until Don retired. In 2000 Don and Ruth moved to Meridian, Idaho where they enjoyed their retirement years.

Because of Don’s work they were able to live in Germany and Cyprus and travel all over the regions. Ruth loved to explore and see new things and she had a real sense of adventure. She loved the outdoors and ‘growy’ things, as she liked to call them. Ruth was a skilled seamstress and quilter. She made her children’s clothes and other items around the house.

Ruth loved children and serving others. Don and Ruth never lived very close to family, so they always made a point to adopt family wherever they lived. Ruth always had a kind word and a smile for those she met and served. Ruth loved to learn and was active in the communities that she lived in. She was a keen listener of conservative talk radio and she enjoyed being able to volunteer in both California and Idaho politics. As an adult she was able to attend college. She graduated from San Jose State University with a business degree in 1989. Ruth will always be remembered for the wonderful listener she was and the advice she gave. She was loving and accepting of everyone. She kept her sweet way about her as she gracefully dealt with dementia.

Ruth is proceeded in death by her dear husband, her parents and siblings and her great grandson Gabriel. She leaves behind her sons Scott (Janny) Jarvis, Colorado Springs, CO; Ron (Lynette) Jarvis, Kalispell, MT; Randy (Mandy) Jarvis, Rock Springs, WY; and her daughter Michele Jarvis (Meridian, ID) who cared for her at home. Ruth has 16 beautiful grandchildren: Zach (Tracey) Jarvis, Tyler (Jaci) Jarvis, Kyle Jarvis, Sarah Hatfield, Claire Jarvis, Elise (Walker) Crystal, Scott Jarvis, Joseph (Richelle) Jarvis, Christine Jarvis, Lauren (Shawn) Ashmore, Rachel Jarvis, Joshua Jarvis, Andrea, Miriam, Aaron, and Daniel Jarvis. Ruth was also blessed with 6 great grandchildren.

There will be a luncheon held immediately following the funeral service.

Ruth will be laid to rest in Meridian City Cemetery.