Ruth Evelyn Wilkins

Ruth was born June 15, 1916 in Parker, Oregon to Emmanuel & Bertha King. Her family moved to Hardin, Montana in 1918 where her father engaged in dry land farming. All of Ruth’s formative years were spent in Hardin. Ruth’s faith was the defining aspect of her life. She received Jesus as her Savior when she was 10 years old at the Baptist Church in Hardin, Montana and was baptized by Pastor Herman Norwood.

She graduated from Hardin High School in 1934. Ruth was only 17 when her mother died in 1933 leaving her as the only woman at home to care for her father and brothers. Her sister Helen had already married and was no longer living near the family in Hardin. While living in Hardin, Ruth worked at a local grocery store.

In 1940 Ruth moved to Portland, Oregon to attend nursing school at the Emmanuel Hospital School of Nursing. While there, she met, and married her husband John. They were married on August 6, 1943. She then graduated from nursing school less than a month later in September. John was enlisted in the US Navy and left shortly after they were married for a 2 ½ year tour serving as a Seabee(Naval mechanic) in Guam during the 2nd World War. While he was away, Ruth worked as a nurse at the Bodine Central Clinic in Portland. In 1950, they relocated to Meridian, Idaho.

Ruth worked as a nurse while living in Meridian. She worked first for Dr. Lusty in Meridian and later moved on to work at the Women’s Clinic in Boise, Idaho until her retirement in 1980.

Ruth was a long-time member of Ustick Baptist Church. She and John joined the church in 1953 after they’d moved to Meridian. She served as a deaconess, a Sunday School teacher, Librarian, with Margaret Jordan as the leader of the Junior High Youth Group, and later, as the leader of the 50+ ministry. During her retirement, she enjoyed many hobbies from gardening, to cooking to crocheting. She especially enjoyed her time with friends and family and being able to travel and be outdoors. When John passed away in 2002, they had been married for 59 years.

She is survived by her Sister-in-Law Doris King. She is also survived by her son Randy Wilkins and his wife Jayne of Stanwood, WA, her daughter Nancy Wilkins of Boise, ID, her Grandson Jon Wilkins, his wife, Rhonda, and their 3 sons, Logan, Alex, and Andrew, her granddaughter Joy Storrs, Joy’s husband Gary, Joy’s two daughters Denielle & Dawn, and two sons, Ryan and Zane, her granddaughter Virginia Rudloff, Virginia’s husband Aaron, and their children, Allison, Megan, and Sam. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband John, her parents, her brothers and sisters and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made in Ruth’s name to:

Ustick Baptist Church

14301 W. McMillan Road

Meridian, ID  83713