Ruth Maxine (Rich) Clark

Ruth Maxine Rich was born April 15, 1936, at Afton, Wyoming, to Elmo and Bertie Rich.

She graduated from Star Valley High School on a Friday in 1954, and married her sweetheart, Bernell Clark, the following Wednesday in the Idaho Falls Temple. From the roots of this union came good fruits which did not fall far from the tree. Five giving and kind-hearted sons and daughters: Laniece Rule (Steven), Lane Clark, Teressa Jones (Blake), Renell Wright (Joel), and Stacey Clark (Sharon), as well as a bushel of 15 grandchildren and a peck of 27 great grandchildren.

Her first love was her family. She was a faithful wife and supported her husband throughout their many moves and various jobs. When they planted a permanent foundation in Idaho Falls, they opened the Bosch Kitchen Center in 1975, selling Bosch mixers, mills, and kitchenware.

Ruth had no lack of talents or interests to fill her free time. She had a green thumb for vegetable and flower gardens. She was known for her farm-to-table suppers and her mother’s homemade recipes from scratch. She was also skilled at sewing, crocheting, and tying quilts. She enjoyed watching all sports, playing the piano and organ, reading, and puzzles.

She made and sold rugs, tearing and sewing her own rags, weaving them onto a 70-year old loom. She had a knack for giving the perfect, beautifully wrapped gifts.

At times, life seemed an uphill climb. When one should have been enjoying the stage of retirement was when her husband lost his sight and taking care of him became a full-time job for ten years until his passing.

Ruth’s joyful reunion in heaven included her husband, Bernell, her parents, four brothers, and a sister.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 24, 2024, at the Orvin Ward Chapel, 6925 N. 15th E., Idaho Falls. The family will meet with friends from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to the service. Burial will be in the Fielding Memorial Park Cemetery.