Aunt Ruth Miller Memories

Dear Loved ones, For our Relief Society Birthday Party, they asked the sisters to write about a special person in their life, either a relative or whoever had been an influence for them. I wrote about Aunt Ruth and they called and asked me to read my story for the program, along with five other sisters. It was a very special dinner and program after the dinner and I was honored to read my story about Aunt Ruth.

We had a nice visit with her yesterday in Hyrum and it was so good to see her. She is suffering every day, but keeps very positive and sweet. Love your e-mail notes and occasional pictures. I am sure she would appreciate a note from you any time. Thanks, VERDA

Subject: : Aunt Ruth memories.

I have been blessed with many special friends who I treasure as my sisters. However, today I have chosen to honor my own special sister, Ruth Nelson Miller. Ruth and I were born and raised in Great Falls, Montana. I was Ruth's younger sister and she always treated me with such kindness and love. She was my mentor and my teacher. She taught me to sew and to cook. She was patient and gentle with me and never made me feel that I was a nuisance to her.

She met and married Ivan Miller and moved to the little town of Hyrum, Utah where she and Ivan raised their family and have lived for the past 65 years ago. Ivan grew up in Hyrum as school and childhood friends of my husband Leon. Soon after Leon's return after four years in the U.S. Air Force serving in the Central Pacific during World War II, Ivan and Ruth arranged a blind date for Leon and me to attend the Stake Gold and Green Ball in Hyrum, Utah. The chemistry was there and after a wonderful courtship, we made plans to be married. I wore her wedding dress and she made me a beautiful three-piece gabardine suit as a going away outfit. I will be forever indebted to her and Ivan for introducing me to my sweet husband.

Ruth has been an example of a perfect mother to her six children, 36 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren. She has helped with numerous family reunions to make our extended family a strong unit. Ruth recently was asked to speak at a special Relief Society Meeting to honor the surviving Stake Relief Society Presidents of the Hyrum 3rd Ward. It was her privilege to serve as the Stake Relief Society President during the time the Teton Dam in Idaho broke in 1976. Her presidency decided a good way for the members of the eight wards in their stake to help ease the distress of their Idaho sisters, was to make quilts for them. The women furnished the fabric, the batting and the labor of love as they made 90 lovely queen sized quilts and
many baby quilts. The sisters in Idaho expressed joyful and tearful gratitude as these quilts were presented to them.

While Ruth and Ivan were busy raising their own family, they opened their hearts and doors to numerous Indian children from the Indian Placement Program and they blessed the lives of these young men and women. Later, Ruth and her husband served a mission to South London in 1991-92 and after their mission call they were called to serve as the President and matron of the Logan Temple for three years. Recently they spearheaded the construction of a new home for a needy family. The mother and father of this family had adopted five handicapped children before the mother became seriously ill herself.

About five years ago, while on a family trip to Alaska, Ruth fell face forward on a wooden sidewalk. Since then she has suffered constant pain in her neck and back. She has visited one doctor after another in hopes of finding some relief, but always with the same result--nothing could be done to help her. Even with the pain that she endures, she has kept a sweet positive attitude and a hope that someday, she would find something to give her comfort. She has been such a great example to me. is still a joy to be around. She keeps a positive attitude and says, "I must keep going and participating in the activities that I love, because it is much more fun
than just lying around feeling sorry for myself."

Ruth's life as been one of loving charity and love to Heavenly Father's children. I think she is a perfect example of Relief Society's motto--"Charity Never Faileth." It is a privilege and blessing to have Ruth as my sister and friend.