Ruth Plum

RUTH PLUM Click here to view Ruth's Video Tribute IDAHO FALLS, IDAHO -- Ruth Elizabeth Nethken Plum, born August 17, 1925, to Gertrude (Warner) & Joseph Nethken in Niagara Falls, New York, passed away peacefully in her sleep September 18, 2009, after a long struggle with Lupus. She was preceded in death by her parents, one baby brother, and one grandchild. Although a native of New York, she always considered herself a mountaineer and daughter of West Virginia, after moving back to her family’s home in the mountain town of Cass. In 1967, she moved to Idaho Falls where, though she missed her home mountains and those of the Shenandoah, she fell in love with Idaho’s mountains, sunsets, and clean waters and felt blessed to live in such a beautiful new home for the last 42 years. After spending her childhood on the beautiful Greenbrier River in West Virginia, her family moved to Elkton, Virginia in 1944, where she met the best looking guy in school, her future husband and soul mate, Joseph Plum. They were married August 10, 1946, shortly before Joe went off to the Pacific. Shortly after, the family of four boys and one last daughter began to take shape over a period of 20 years from one coast to the other. In 1952, she attended the School of Fiber in Raleigh, North Carolina where she began her love with clothing; she always loved fabrics, sewing, and croquet up until the last few month of her life.. She will always be remembered as a Wife who never failed her husband in love or with a wholesome and hot meal, a Daughter who gave her muscle and heart in taking care of her elderly mother, a Mother who dearly loved her five children equally with simple but true advice, a Sister who always thought of her brother, an Aunt who loved her nieces and nephews over the many miles of separation, and a Grandmother who wished she only had more time and energy. She will be missed by all who ever met her, and we are certain, she will be the first to greet us in the hereafter. Although she had many paying jobs, her true joy was being a wife, mother, cook and chief bottle-washer in the family kitchen or great outdoors. Her children were her pride and joy, raising all five to be responsible, hard working, lawful, independent thinkers, and proud parents of their own families. She and Dad ruled the strict line and it appears to have paid off. She had many passions, many which are not mentioned. She enjoyed service to others as a Girl Scout Leader, Den Mother and Jobs Daughter; she enjoyed working in the local food kitchen and making Christmas cookies for those without, she enjoyed comforting those in pain or loneliness, and she enjoyed the hundreds of hours helping first graders learn the joy of reading. She enjoyed taking care of the many animals, possibly 14 dogs, 6 cats, 8 parakeets, and too many fish to count, who found their way into their home, sometimes left by sons and daughter when they went off to school, and sometimes lucky enough to actually have been selected as her pet. She enjoyed the Gospel in many forms and believed in the hereafter. Everyone enjoyed her passion for cooking which often took on a grand, gallant, or elegant affair, depending on the holiday or occasion; and each of us will miss one of her famous dishes; for some it will simply be her melted cheese sandwiches and deviled eggs, for others, it will be her sugar twists and peanut butter cookies, green bean and bacon, Beef Wellington and Southern-Style fried. Fortunately, she passed this love of cooking and eating on to her children who are now passing this love forward to theirs. Lastly, she enjoyed camping, God’s Great Creation, whether it be rain or shine, and enjoyed the process of earth, sky, and gardening with its hope, colors and smells. She will always be loved and remembered by everyone she met and we give gratitude for the time we have been able to share with her. We wish it was longer, but she has suffered too long with her pain, and as requested, has returned to continue on with God’s work. In comfort of those who feel this loss, we ask you remember some of her advice that she lived and often preached, that “life and this earth is for living, not dying” and “this too is just another mountain to come and overcome.”. We ask that you enjoy this day and the one following for what they are; a gift to share your love with your family, your friends, and those who you will meet. Nothing more; and nothing less. Ruth is survived by her husband, Joe, of 63 years, her sons, Jody (Carol) of Albuquerque, NM, Paul (Margie) of Rio Dell, CA, Martin (Shera) of Idaho Falls, Bill (Karen) of Northport, WA, and Margo Hendricks of Idaho Falls, 9 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for you to send your thoughts and material efforts to the Girl Scouts of Silver Sage, Ethridge Lane, Boise, ID 83404 or a charity of your choice. Memorial services will be held a 4:00 p.m. on Friday September 25, 2009, at the Unitarian Universalist Church (555 “E” Street) in Idaho Falls with Reverend Lyn Cameron officiating. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 6-7:30 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge. ---------------------------------------------------- Condolences received online: Anne Voilleque and Louise Nelson Sadly we are out of the country at this time. Ruth was so special and such a role model for all that is good and kind in this world. She was dearly loved and will be dearly missed. Carolyn Depperschmidt deppercd@ida.net My thoughts are with you during your loss. Tom and Joanne Taxelius Stafco1@aol.com Although now living in Grants Pass, OR, we still feel a closeness to IF and remember Ruth fondly. We are and will be thinking of you. Bob and Mary Gehrke lacometa43@msn.com Joe and family, We were so sorry to hear of Ruth's passing. She was one of the sweetest people we ever met...such a gentle spirit. You are in our thoughts especially at this time. Bob and Mary Tina Therp thertin2@isu.edu Hello Margaret, I will always have great memories of our mothers in Girl Scouts. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Tina Kitty Nethken Robertson krobert2@charter.net Kelley and I were sad to hear of Ruthie's passing. I will miss our phone conversations and was looking forward to another visit when she and Joe felt like making a trip back east. Bruce Thomas So sorry for your loss. Nancy McAtee Ruth and my mom did scouting together for many years. I have very fond memories of the kitchen at Pine Creek of coffee, conversation and a stove door the blew off when you lit the pilot light. Ruth will be deeply missed.