Ruth Wilma (Smith) Stone, 102, passed away in her home at Brookdale in Great Falls on Monday, January 6, 2020. Cremation has taken place under the care of Schnider Funeral Home.
Ruth was born on November 9, 1917, in Pataskala, Ohio. Her mother, Jessie B. Smith, was church organist for the Pataskala Methodist Church for 40 years and her father was an active solo and ensemble singer and voice teacher in the region. She and her brothers, Earl and Walter inherited their passion for music. Ruth majored in public school music and voice at Capitol University in Columbus. During the latter part of her college career she received statewide honor by winning the Buckeye State Music Jubilee, and, as a prize, was awarded the opportunity to sing a show with the renowned Ozzie Nelson Big Band.
After graduating from the university, Ruth taught music for four years in eastern Ohio. During World War II, she worked for a time in an aircraft factory. On an excursion to Arkansas, she was introduced to an army buddy of her brother, Earl, Vernon Wade Stone, whom she married in 1948. Ruth and Wade moved to Riverton, Wyoming, where Wade accepted an engineering position with the Bureau of Reclamation.
Their first two children, David and Don, were born in Riverton. They then moved to Great Falls, where Ruth confirmed her newfound love for the wide, open spaces and resided here for the rest of her life. In Great Falls, daughter, Kathy and son, George were born in 1952 and 1954.
To read the complete obituary and share condolences, visit the Schnider Funeral Home website.
