Ruth Swainston

Our sweet Ruthie, Ruth Ellen Sweat Swainston, went peacefully home to our Heavenly Father on December 11, 2016 at the age of 91.

Ruth was born, the seventh child, to David Sweat and Cora Moore Sweat in Jerome, Idaho on September 19, 1925. David passed away that same year, and Cora was remarried to his older brother, Uncle Bob, the following year. They then added one more little girl to the family. In 1928, the family moved to Richfield, Idaho where they had a large, nine-bedroom home west of town, but there was no electricity or running water. Ruth learned early the value of hard work, thrift, and self reliance growing up during a difficult time.

When she was a freshman in high school, Ruth contracted Polio and had to stay in the hospital in Twin Falls in an isolation ward with seven others. She was the only one there who escaped paralysis.

Albert Ross Swainston moved to Richfield with his family in 1940, and the two met in school. Ross told a classmate that he thought Ruth was cute, and it was quickly relayed to her. It didn’t take long for them to become a couple. They were married in Gooding, Idaho on April 29, 1943 and weathered WWII together.

The couple had three children; two boys, Ross Wyn and Gary, and then finally a little girl, Rhonda, almost ten years later for whom Ruth loved to sew beautiful dresses. She lost her beloved Ross to cancer in 1980, and we are sure her reunion with him was a sweet one.

Ruth was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and she served in many capacities over the years. Her favorite, though, was probably her five years of teaching early morning seminary to the youth.

Over the years Ruth had many jobs to help make ends meet. She worked as a caregiver, City Clerk, gas station owner with Ross, cheese seller for Ward’s Cheese, janitor for the LDS Church, and more.

Ruth earned the nickname Red with her fiery personality and her lovely red hair. She was always encouraging others, and loved to tell us to, “Grin n bear it!” Most importantly, Ruthie was an amazing, inspiring, and loving wife, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. Her sweet spirit and uplifting smile will be missed by all.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents and all seven siblings as well as her husband, A. Ross Swainston, her son, Gary Swainston, her daughter-in-law Nancy Estock Swainston, and her grandsons, Glade Brawn Swainston and Ross Lee Setser.

She is survived by her son Ross Wyn Swainston, her daughter-in-law Carol Swainston, and her daughter and son-in-law, Rhonda Kae and Don Setser, as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, December 17, 2016 at the Richfield Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, with viewing beginning at 10:00 am. Graveside services will conclude at Richfield Cemetery, Richfield, Idaho.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Ruth's memorial webpage at www.farnsworthmortuary.com.