Ruth Taylor

Ruth Walker
1914 - 2014

Ada Ruth Walker Taylor, 99, formerly of Boise, Idaho, passed away on February 16, just two months short of her hundredth birthday, at the Gables Assisted Living facility in Pocatello. She was born April 16, 1914 in Rexburg, Idaho to Emmett C. and Mary E. (Mae) Adams Walker. She was the second of five children and the only girl. The family moved to Salt Lake City for a few years and then settled in Idaho Falls, Idaho. While attending school in Idaho Falls, she studied piano and voice and after completing high school, attended and graduated from business college in Salt Lake City. Then, after a year in Los Angeles for vocal studies, she returned to Idaho Falls where she worked as secretary to the manager of the First Security Bank. A highlight of this time in her life was being selected as Miss Idaho Falls in 1937.

On November 2, 1942, she married Vernon H. Taylor, a professional musician and teacher of piano from Meridian. He was a corporal in the army stationed at Fort Douglas so they lived in Salt Lake City until Vernon was sent to the South Pacific. When World War II ended, they made their home in Idaho Falls until moving to Boise in 1947. The following year they moved to Meridian, where they had fun renovating a historical home from the 1890s—one of the first houses outside of Boise to have an indoor bathroom. In February1949, Vernon was offered a three-month contract in Fairbanks, Alaska. They went for a three-month paid vacation that turned into six years—three in Fairbanks and three in Juneau. They returned to Meridian at the end of 1954.

Ruth and Vern lived in Meridian until 1974, when they moved to a home on Bogus Basin Road in Boise. After Vernon passed away in 1992, Ruth continued to live in Boise until 2007 when she moved to Pocatello to be near family as they had no children of their own.

Ruth held many positions throughout her lifelong membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints: Primary teacher, Sunday School teacher, Drama Director, Sunday School organist and chorister and many others. One of her favorites was playing the organ for sessions in the Boise temple. Singing was one of her greatest joys and she joined ward choirs and music groups wherever she lived. In her early years she was noted for her vocal recitals.

During the 1950s and 60s she took great pleasure in entering product contests—the kind where you had to write an essay or a jingle, create a recipe, or describe why a product was great in 25 words or less. She won dishwashers, stoves, cooking equipment, and many cash prizes when contests required skill and ingenuity.

Ruth was an outstanding homemaker. She loved to cook and was a gourmet in many respects. Deserts and candies were her specialties. She collected cookbooks, cooking gadgets and everything necessary to make anything related to food and good eating. All her relations looked forward to her yearly Christmas boxes of cookies, candies, fudge, and many other tasty delights. A dinner or lunch with Ruth was a treat for her nieces and nephews because she made them all feel special—she could make a tuna fish sandwich into a gourmet feast.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon and his parents, her parents, three brothers, Kenneth, Ralph, Emmett Clyde; two sisters-in-law, Sarah and May; and one nephew, Brent Walker. She is survived by one brother, Marvin Walker, of Idaho Falls; one sister-in-law, Alberta Walker of Pocatello; three nieces, three nephews; many great nieces, nephews and their many children.

The family wishes to thank Dr. LaVonne Mills, Heritage Hospice Staff, Angie Howell and the Staff at the Gables for the concern, excellent service and loving care they gave Ruth.

Funeral services for Ruth will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, February 22, 2014 at Wilks Funeral Home, 211 W. Chubbuck Road. A viewing will be held one hour prior to the services at the funeral home. The interment will be in the Meridian Cemetery on Monday, February 24th. Her funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of Wilks Funeral Home.

Ruth's family suggests memorial contributions be made in her name to the Primary Children's Medical Center, or other health related causes of your preference. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.wilksfuneralhome.com.