Ruth D. Hayes-Christiansen

Our dear mother and grandmother, great-grandmother, Ruth D. Hayes Christiansen, passed away Monday, May 20, 2013 at the Gables Assisted Living Center in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Ruth was born October 9, 1923 in Downey, Idaho to Royal E. Byington and Ethyl Lovisa Christensen. She was the 7th child of 10 children. She attended school and graduated from high school in Downey, Idaho.

On September 21, 1942, In Pocatello, Idaho, she married her husband of 53 years, Merlin “J” Hayes of Inkom, Idaho. They were later sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple. They farmed and lived in Grace and Bennington, Idaho. In 1949, they moved to Boise, Idaho where they lived until the passing of Merlin in 1995.

Ruth moved to Chubbuck, Idaho the next year to be near their only child, a daughter, Nancy, and her family.

After Nancy started school, Ruth worked as a sales clerk in a Department Store. She also helped Merlin on the farm.

She was a very good cook, loved to decorate their home, do crafts, kept an immaculate, beautiful yard. She won awards from the City of Chubbuck for 6 or 7 years in a row.

On December 9, 2000, Ruth married Gale M. Christiansen of Pocatello, ID. They loved to dance and traveled many places together until their health prevented them from doing so any longer. In August 2010 Gale and Ruth moved to Fairwinds Assisted Living Center after Ruth had a very bad fall. Gale passed away in July of 2012. He is survived by six daughters.

Ruth was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in many positions and was always providing service to others.

Ruth is survived by: her daughter, Nancy, son-in-law Dellas, grandchildren: Darren Dustin of Elberta, UT, Brett (Amelia) Dustin of Dickinson, ND, Mark Dustin of Cincinnati, OH, Kevin (Mandi) Dustin of Moses Lake, WA, Teresa (Aaron) Leach of Idaho Falls, ID, Curtis (Katy) Dustin of Idaho Falls, ID, two siblings: Vernon Byington of Pocatello, ID, Lila Coburn of Brigham City, UT, and 18 great-grandchildren.

Ruth was preceded in death by: both husbands, one grandson (Joel) and 7 brothers and sisters.

The family would like to express their thanks to the Gables and Aspen Hospice for their care and kindness to Ruth.