Ruth was born of May 29, 1925 in Barton City, Michigan to Truman and Agnes Thornton. Ruth was the youngest of eleven children. Her mother died when she was three and Ruth grew up in various foster and family member homes. As a young woman, she traveled to Montana. She married Fred Blaseg in 1947. They raised their three children in the Clancy area. Ruth was an active member of the Clancy community and participated in many of the functions for the town. Ruth and Fred moved to Townsend, MT in 1987.
Ruth had a quick wit and could insert levity into any situation. She was an avid genealogist, researching her family history and had traced her father’s ancestry back to the 1400’s. She was especially proud that one of her ancestors signed the Declaration of Independence. Ruth had an inquisitive nature and eagerly embraced technology. She developed a detailed ancestry chart and carried her kindle everywhere.
Ruth expressed her artistic nature through her beautiful hand embroidered quilts, crochet, sewing and baking. The family was always well fed at grandma’s house. Ruth also liked to get in the car and go places. If family came to visit, Ruth made sure they saw all the sites.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Fred, her parents, siblings, and one granddaughter (Tressa). She is survived by her three children, Cindy Worrall, Beverly Shallberg (Steve), and Garry Blaseg (Paulette), twelve grandchildren, and seventeen great grandchildren.
Alan & Karen Wagner says
Such a lovely, vibrant lady! Her memory lives on in each and every person that was fortunate to have been a part of her life. She will be missed, but she will forever be in our hearts. Our love to all her family.
Matt Shallberg says
I loved my grandma and always will she could always make me laugh about the stories she would tell. I will miss her.
Harry & Dana Hall says
We were so grateful and blessed to have Ruth for our neighbor for several years. She had such a sweet, cute disposition. She always had a smile on her face even when she was in pain. We’ll never forget the Halloween we had a knock on our door and there she was, dressed up, saying, “Trick or treat!” Our family loved it, and we all had a great laugh. She will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her lovely family.
Ken Harris says
I remember Ruth holding our baby boys, smiling and telling them that Great Grandma loved them. Those babies are almost 24 & 20 now. Tress told us some funny stories over the years about her times with her gma Ruth and gpa Fritz. Ruth was always smiling and made me laugh with her quick humor. Tress adored her gma. The boys and I are grateful to have known Ruth and wish all of her family the best.
Anne Schemanski Aleshire says
Ruth is my Great Aunt, my grandfather’s youngest sister. I have fond memories of visiting her in Montana. No matter what time of day we stopped in, or how long it had been since we had last seen her, she would insist on preparing a meal for us. I loved listening to her life stories and telling her about our latest travels. She will be missed.
Jason Wenzel says
Sorry to hear of your loss. Glad I got to meet her a couple of years ago.
Robert Temple says
Gary sorry to learn of your mother’s passing.
Joan Woods says
Bev,
I am so sorry to read about your Mom. She was one of the most beautiful women I have ever known. I loved the time we visited and she talked about “everything happens in 3’s”. ..the weird knocks on the doors…good memories. If you ever feel like it, email me your address. My youngest son lives in Kuna and we visit him at least once a year. Always, Joan
Jim Gruber says
I have only seen Ruth once since I was a child and that was at my grandmother Agnes’ funeral a few years ago but that wonderful smile was the same as I recall from back in the 1950s. RIP great-aunt Ruth.
Donna Doerr - Great Niece says
I have only seen my Aunt a few times in my life. My mother Frances Thornton-Jasman
is a proud owner of one of Aunt Ruth’s quilts. When I look at the quilt on her bed
everyday, I see the workmanship and pride she took in making it.
With love from the Thornton-Jasman-Doerr family
Donna, Frances, James
Marla Blaseg McGeorge says
My heart goes out to you all, yet to thankful for your closeness to her and memories. Always loved when Uncle “Fizzy” and Aunt Ruth came to visit. Ruth was such and encouraging lady with a great sense of fun. Wish I could be there with you all; you know my thoughts and love are with you!
Shirley Battershell says
I was shocked to read of Ruth’s passing. It wasn’t very long ago that I chatted with her and she said she was moving to Missoula to be with Cindy. And that she had spinal stenosis. I believe it was at Bettye Madison’s funeral.
We had lots of laughs together. She used to cut my hair when they lived in Clancy in old Alhambra. Ruth was such a fun person to be around because of her quick wit and sense of humor. We lost contact when they moved to Townsend except for an occasional email.
So sorry for your loss. I know she will be missed.