Ruth Smith Thomson

Ruth Smith Thomson

October 28, 1935 - March 13, 2017

Ruth Smith Thomson, cherished wife, mother and grandmother, returned home to her loving Heavenly Father on Monday, March 13, 2017. She was born October 28, 1935 in Preston, Idaho, the youngest daughter and eighth child of Wilford and Terese Smith. Ruth married her sweetheart and eternal companion, Ariel Thomson on June 12, 1957 in the Logan, Utah LDS Temple. They are blessed with five daughters: Diana, Mary Ann, Julie, Betty, and Janie, as well as 30 grandchildren.

Ruth's life was the epitome of grace. Her warm and friendly nature led to many lasting friendships. She was a friend to all. Her life was especially focused on serving and loving her family, both immediate and extended.

Favorite childhood memories include family backyard barbecues and playing with her dog, Pal. Ruth cherished time spent with her father who she lost early in her childhood. She and her mother shared a closeness that was carried on throughout her life. In 1954 she graduated from Preston High School where she shared her love of singing in musical theater and opera productions. Ruth was privileged to spend several summers working at Jackson Lake Lodge.

During high school Ruth met the love of her life, Ariel Thomson. Shortly after their marriage they moved to Ariel's beloved Hawaii, where he had served an LDS mission. Ruth's love for Hawaii blossomed quickly and it held a special place in her heart the remainder of her life.

As a young girl, Ruth learned the value of education from her parents. After completing student teaching through Northwestern University, she received a bachelor's degree in home economics from Utah State University in 1959. She then taught junior high home economics for three years in Evanston, Illinois while Ariel was completing his DDS at Northwestern.

Over the years she and Ariel were privileged to live in many areas. Their five daughters were born while living in Chicago, Illinois, Browning, Montana, San Carlos, Arizona, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Georgia, and Ann Arbor, Michigan as Ariel pursued his education and employment. They ultimately settled in Potomac, Maryland where they raised their daughters.

Ruth enjoyed living in the Washington, D. C. area and learning from the rich history there. She loved sharing her beloved city and hospitality with friends and family who visited. Her service was fondly referred to as “Whirlwind Tours”. Her sense of adventure led her on many excursions along the east coast, including visits to the Pennsylvania Amish country.

Ruth put her heart and soul into many callings as she served in her ward and stake. From organizing a young women's choir that sang on the Washington D.C. Temple grounds, to planning stake homemaking fairs which included quilting displays, recipe sampling and demonstrations. Ruth was the embodiment of the LDS Relief Society motto, “Charity Never Faileth”, as she dedicated countless hours in tender service to others. She cherished the calling as a delegate to the White House Conference on Families. Ruth passed the spirit and love of Relief Society on to her daughters.

Both Ruth and Ariel had a love of travel and the people of the world. Before moving their family to Logan, Utah in 1983, they took their daughters on a five month world tour creating many lasting memories for their family and sharing that love of adventure, people and places.

In Logan, they enjoyed being closer to family again, renewing old acquaintances and making new friendships. Ruth loved organizing family reunions and connecting with loved ones. She was the secretary at Ellis Elementary for 17 years where her love for children as well as the Ellis staff led her to touch the hearts of many.

Ruth was a talented seamstress and spent her life creating countless beautiful treasures. When her daughters were young, it was not uncommon for them to go to bed and awaken in the morning to find a custom item that had taken shape overnight. While in Logan, Ruth's daughters would meet and marry their eternal companions. Ruth created elegant wedding dresses for five weddings over a two year period.

Soon after moving to Logan, Ruth's role expanded to that of Grandmother. She was a great support to her daughters as 30 grandchildren would eventually join the family. Ruth loved to gather her family and loved planning those reunions with great anticipation and detail; from exquisite family meals, where she shared her culinary expertise, to organizing the annual family reunion at the Bear Lake cabin. She had a genuine interest and love for each of her grandchildren and spent many hours serving them, supporting them in their talents and interests, and praying for their well-being.

Ruth will be deeply missed by all who know and love her. Her legacy will live on through those who she has influenced throughout her life.

Ruth is survived by her husband, Lynn Ariel Thomson; her children, Diana Lynn (Marc) Anderson, Mary Ann Summers, Julie (Bret) Peterson, Betty (Gordon) Daines, and Janie (Danny) Conway, as well as 30 grandchildren and her brother, Richard Smith. She was proceeded in death by her father, Wilford Smith, and her mother, Terese Thomas Smith; her brother Mark (Carol) Smith; sisters Ann, Gwen (Glen) Johnson, Beth (Blaine) Dunkley, Dean (Claude) Turner and Marian (Richard) Pond as well as son-in-law Bradley K. Summers. She is also survived by Ariel's brothers, Dixon (Sue Ellen), Theo (Arla Dean), Gene (Julia), and sister Mary (John) Fajen.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 18 at 12:00 noon at the Lundstrom Park LDS building, 1260 N 1600 E, Logan, UT. Friends and family are invited to call Friday, March 17 from 6-8 pm at Allen Hall Mortuary, 34 East Center Street, Logan and Saturday at the Lundsom Park LDS Building prior to the funeral from 10:30-11:30 am. Interment will follow at the Logan Cemetery. Condolences and memories may be shared online at www.allenmortuaries.net . In lieu of donations, please contribute to the LDS Church Perpetual Education Fund.