Ruth Richards

Ruth Richards, a long time American Falls resident passed away Saturday March 3 at the age of 94 in Sandy, Utah where she had been living since 2004 to be near her son and daughter. 

Ruth Esther Batt Richards was born in the family home on January 7, 1918, the first of five children to be born to Elizabeth E. Karn Batt and John W. Batt, where the family homesteaded near Wilder, Idaho in 1907. 

Ruth attended schools in Wilder and graduated from Wilder High School. She attended the University of Idaho where she graduated with a B.S. in Home Economics in 1940.  While attending the U of I she met Jack W. Richards whom she married on September 8^th, 1940 in Wilder.  After living in Nampa for a year they moved to Roy, Idaho to run the Richards’ family dry farm.  They had four children and expanded the farm into a successful business operation living on the farm during the growing season and in American Falls in the winter. They farmed until Jack retired in 1978 and began spending their time traveling to see their children, camping and fishing.  They spent some time wintering in Meza, AZ where Jack passed away in 1987. Ruth continued to live in American Falls where she maintained a beautiful home and yard of flowers including an extensive yearly display of petunias and pansies.  She was an active member of the Bethany Baptist Church and PEO. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack; son, Dr. Thomas Richards; son in-law, Leon Campbell; grandson, Nathan Schow; her siblings, Emma Batt Kurze, John Batt, Jr., and James Batt.  She is survived by her brother, Phil Batt (Jacque) of Boise, ID and children, Judy (Bob) Schow of Dallas, TX; Steve (Glenda) Richards of Sandy, UT; and Charlotte Campbell of Murray, UT; daughter in-law, Sharon Richards of Beaverton, OR; five grand children and five great grandchildren.  Ruth loved her church, her family and her friends.  She will be missed by all and we cherish our memories of her.

Funeral Services will be held at the Willow Bay Baptist Church on Monday, March 12, 2012 at 2:00 PM. 

The visitation will be at 1:00 P.M. prior to the service at the church.  

In lieu of flowers, you may send donations in her honor to the local PEO College Scholarship Fund, C/O Pat Chase, 635 Bennett Ave, American Falls, ID 83211.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.davisrosemortuary.com