Edna Ruth Anderson

Edna Ruth Anderson, 87, of Moreland, Idaho, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, March 12, 2007. She was a lovely person who loved life and all those close to her. Ruth was born Edna Ruth Thomson on May 26, 1919, in Hamill, South Dakota to Arthur E. and Edna Mae Thomson. She made life long friends in South Dakota and corresponded with them over the years. She learned many of her homemaker skills from her mother on their small farm near Hamill. She graduated from high school and began a career as a clerk in the Tripp County auditor's office in Winner, South Dakota.

It was during that time she met, and became engaged to, Emfred "Fred" Anderson of Winner, South Dakota, the son of a Swedish cabinet maker. On August 11, 1940, Ruth and Fred were married by a Baptist minister in Witten, South Dakota. The very next week they packed up and moved to Idaho, accompanied by Wilmer Anderson, Fred's brother. Their first home was a small rock house near Thomas, Idaho, owned by one of their first Idaho friends, Fred Serr. It was quite a change for Ruth, moving from the flatlands of South Dakota to the high desert and tall mountains of Idaho.

Ruth's first task was learning the new life as a trapper's wife, but she was smiling and cheerful as Fred bounced her over hill and valley in their old ?39 Chevy pickup. She was Fred's constant partner as he spent countless hours trapping and hunting for predators. She became friends with many people in the Little and Big Lost River Valleys and with countless others in the Moreland and Blackfoot area. Their home business, Gem State Mink Ranch, was started in 1947 and continued until late in 1961. Ruth was the bookkeeper and also helped Fred, Laura and Phil with the daily care of the mink.

Ruth and Fred became members of First Baptist Church of Blackfoot, remaining active together until Fred passed away in January 1998. Ruth was an avid student of the Bible, always starting her day with devotions as early as 4:30 a.m. She was active in the American Baptist Women's Society, holding several offices and developing life-long friendships with many ladies of all ages.

She taught Sunday School for many years in Blackfoot and also taught in the Nazarene Church in Forks, Washington. She was the adult advisor to the Baptist Youth Fellowship in the Blackfoot church for more than 10 years, giving hours of service to young men and women as they grew in their relationships with God and each other.

Her hobbies included reading, writing, gardening, cooking, sewing and, of course, visiting, always doing something for someone else. During the last years of her life she enjoyed special times with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Ruth is survived by her daughter, Laura Ruth (Tom) Lafrenz of Forks, Washington; son, Phil F. (Denise) Anderson of Idaho Falls; granddaughters, Carol (Roy) Woodvine of Idaho Falls, Julie Anderson of Fullerton, Calif.; Robin (Jason) Person of Enumclaw, Washing-ton; grandsons, Roger Anderson of Eagle River, Wisconsin and David (August) Lafrenz of Buckley, Washington. She also had three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister; a brother; son, Gary Carl Anderson and her husband, Emfred "Fred" Anderson.

Ruth will be deeply missed by all who knew her as the little lady who gave all of herself to God and those around her every day.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 24, at the First Baptist Church, 2550 Rose Road in Blackfoot, with the Rev. Mark Fisk officiating. The family will visit with friends from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday at Hawker Funeral Home, 132 S. Shilling Ave. in Blackfoot and from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Saturday before services at the church.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Ruth's memory to the Cathedral Pines Baptist Camp fund through the First Baptist Church, 2550 Rose Road, Blackfoot, Idaho 83221.