Obituary of Ruth Steele

Ruth Baysinger Steele, 85, beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed from this life into glorious eternal heavenly life, December 30, 2020. Ruth Olive Baysinger was born in Gooding, Idaho, April 30, 1935, to Harry E. and Doris Maurer Baysinger. She attended schools in Gooding, graduating from Gooding High School in 1953. Later in her life, she attended College of the Redwoods, Eureka, California, graduating with an Associate of Arts Degree. Ruth married Kenneth A. Steele in Gooding in 1953. They shared life together for over sixty-three years, until Kenneth’s passing in 2017. She moved with her husband as he served in the US Army and taught in several schools. During the first ten years of their marriage, Ken and Ruth lived in thirteen different locations. In 1964, Ken and Ruth, with their four children, moved to Fortuna, California. Ruth and Kenneth continued to live in the same home in Fortuna for the next fifty-two years. Following the death of her husband, Ruth moved to Twin Falls, ID, where she resided with her daughter and son-in-law. Ruth dedicated her life to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Her faith was shown through the way she loved and served her family and those around her. Ruth was a devoted wife and mother, putting the needs of her family before her own wants and desires. She cherished her times with family, especially treasuring time with grandchildren and great grandchildren. In the course of her life, Ruth enjoyed using her artistic endeavors and gardening to enhance her residence and family life. She took pleasure in caring for an abundance of plants and flowers around and inside her home. Her small business, “Driftwood Dandies,” enabled Ruth to make floral arrangements as well as spend time with new and old friends. Other pursuits Ruth valued included substitute teaching and being a teachers’ assistant, serving as a guardian ad litem, participating in jail and prayer ministries, giving herself to worship and Bible study, and working as a product demonstrator at grocery stores in and near Fortuna, CA. Ruth is survived by her children, Elizabeth McGregor (husband Eugene) of Twin Falls, ID, David Steele of Snohomish, WA, and Russell Steele (wife Anita) of Spring Valley, WI; eight grown grandchildren Stephanie (Josh), Brandon, Daniel (Kat), Chase (Amie), Jared (Jasmine), Michael (Caroline), Matthew, and Melodee; six great grandchildren; and her sister, Carolyn (Jim) Grissom. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Kenneth; and son, Douglas Steele (2012). Friends and extended family are invited to attend a graveside memorial service and celebration of Ruth’s life, June 19th, 2021, 10:00am, at Elmwood Cemetery, Gooding, ID.