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Ruth Ellen Maness
1948 - 2017
Ruth Ellen Maness
1948 - 2017
Obituary
Guest Book
Ruth Maness Obituary
Salt Lake City and Bountiful, UT -Our beloved pillar, teacher, author, and giver. You left us just last week, and we miss you already.
Ruth was born in Los Angeles, CA in 1948 and was raised in Utah. She was the calmest, kindest, most giving and forgiving person on earth. Her life of service started early, spending most of high school caring for us at night and contributing money to help our parents. Ruth's habit of giving and serving continued throughout her life, as the multitude of extended family and friends she has helped can attest.
Ruth was also the smartest. As a child, she skipped a grade and graduated high school at 16; as an adult she read and taught others to read old gothic German, and graduated BYU with majors in history and languages.
Ruth's faith in the teachings of the LDS Church was unwavering; she served a two-year mission to West Germany, then continued to serve the Lord as a professional genealogist at the Family History Library. At the Library she was a senior research consultant, lecturer, and instructor. She shared her research secrets through her seminars and writings, made annual sleuthing treks to Germany, and co-authored a guidebook on German and Scandinavian research.
In her scant off-times she made sure our parents had a European temple tour, visited Hawaii, and spent their last years at home. Upon retirement Ruth pursued a vice that really made her happiest: more genealogy.
Our soft-spoken Ruthie (aka Ruffles) had a giant drive to help others, which she often did at great cost to herself. She leaves us humbled, bewildered, and so very honored by her legacy of service and love.
Daughter of George and Lorene Maness (both deceased); sister of G. Raymond, Jr. (Ilene), Glenn (Caroline), James (deceased), David, Aaron (Bev), Rose (Stacy), Michael (Alysse), Celia, and Kathryn (Vince). Aunt, grand aunt, and great-grand aunt to many more. Ruth was never about her; she was always about us.
Please join the celebration of Ruth's life. Viewing on Thursday June 29, 6:00-8:00 PM at Lindquist Mortuary, 727 N 400 E, Bountiful, UT. Funeral on Friday June 30; viewing at 9:30-10:30 AM and service at 11:00 AM, Val Verda 4th Ward, 2633 S. 50 W., Bountiful, UT. Interment at Bountiful City Cemetery. Condolences may be shared at www.lindquistmortuary.com
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David
June 22, 2023
We all were privileged beyond measure to have been the Family and Friends of Ruth Maness. Whomever authored that amazing Celebration of Her life truly inspired by Celestial Beings.
I am privileged beyond measure for being afforded the opportunity to bask in the glory of her being.
Thank you Ruth for being All That You Are and making this'll world a much better place because You were here,
This Worlds Loss is most Certianly Heavens Gain!
Love You and Miss You more than mere words can express.
Dirk Steenbergen
March 31, 2019
I have known and worked with Ruth Maness and also her best friend Suzanne Baldwin of RSA since 1995 at the FHL and I miss both of these wonderful, honest, humble and very intelligent sisters, who were very dedicated and committed to helping others at the FHL in SLC. I am very grateful for their friendship and the knowledge they gave me both of the true gospel and finding our ancestors. Until We Meet Again...
Cheryl Slack
June 25, 2018
Ruth was a lovely woman who always gave freely of herself. I only knew her a few months but her loving presence is greatly missed.
Maurine Wheatley
June 22, 2018
As we served our mission 2015-16 in Salt Lake City at the Family History Library on the International Floor we were blessed to share some sweet moments with Sister Maness. To me, She was an amazing source of understanding of research and the desire to find ancestors for herself and help others find theirs. She was quiet but enjoyable to be around. I'm glad I got to know her for that moment in time.
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Nadind Ammersdörfer
July 29, 2017
Liebe Ruth,
es ist für uns ein groer Schock. Deine Familie/Freunde aus Deutschland hatten sich schon so sehr auf ein wiedersehen gefreut. Jedoch kam leider alles anders. Wir hoffen und wünschen dir von herzen, das es dir gut geht und du auf uns aufpasst. Wir vermissen dich alle so sehr.
In Liebe
Jochen, Silvia, Rene, Mia und Nadine
(Stefanski)
Rick Casady
July 25, 2017
I found this out belatedly. I am very sad that we lost Ruth. She was such a kind person. She introduced me to German research when I was a new employee at FamilySearch. Years later, I would still ask her for help occasionally in figuring out some difficult handwriting. I helped proctor an accreditation test a while back for ICAPGEN that she was coordinating. She also had a gentle wit, which was welcome to a field which could be so perplexing, as well as rewarding. It really feels like so many I shared experiences with at FamilySearch are leaving us behind. Yet, the work goes on. Farewell, Ruth, until we meet again.
Thelissa Zollinger
July 20, 2017
In the past several years, Ruth has helped our family amass over 500 German family names for temple work. These names have been entered on Family Search where they can now be accessed for temple work. Our family is forever indebted to Ruth for her efforts in extracting these names from German records that we would have never found. Her priceless talent for research is profoundly appreciated by those both living and deceased. We will miss her immensely.
David Church
July 10, 2017
Ray, Sorry to hear of your loss.Dave Church. 801-694-3070
July 6, 2017
I was shocked and saddened upon being told of Ruth's death. I know she will be sorely missed by all.
I worked with Ruth at FamilySearch. My best memories of her center on her Gothic German class. It was one of the most informative and helpful classes I have taken
God bless her family at this time.
Julie Connelly
Rex Peterson
July 1, 2017
I am sad to learn that Ruth passed away. She was one of the kindest people I've known. I worked with her in the Family History Library where I watched her serve the patrons at the Reference Desk. She had such a passion for genealogy! She was always teaching and lecturing and she was an excellent teacher. I attended many of her classes.
I will miss her but I am glad that she touched my life and influenced me for good.
May Heaven bless her family.
July 1, 2017
I was so saddened to hear of Ruth's death. She was a wonderful person and an amazing researcher.
-- Loretta Evans
Ray & Karen Clifford
June 30, 2017
We were shocked to hear of Ruth's demise. We will miss her as both a forever friend and a colleague. We are currently travelling in Ruth's favorite research area, Germany! As a result, we won't be able to attend the funeral, but we will be thinking of Ruth and her life of dedicated service.
Helen Jackson
June 29, 2017
Rose,
I am so sorry for your Loss, I have such fond memories of Ruth, There was nothing she couldn't do. I remember many times of her working on cars in your drive way. There were times she needed a tool or some help and she would come ask Daddy for help. She worked hard. She will be missed by many. Thoughts and prayers for you and your family.
Helen Calobeer Jackson
Dawn Hair
June 29, 2017
I met Ruth in 2009 when I started as a missionary at the family history library. She was always so very kind and I enjoyed spending time with her. I will miss her sweet, quiet ways. She was a lovely person. God bless you Ruth.
June 29, 2017
As you remember your beloved one, may our Father the God of peace give you comfort and peace in May God be your strength in this time of sorrow Matthew 5:4 "Happy are those who mourn since they will be comforted."
My deepest sympathies. May the "God of all comfort," help to ease the pain of your grief during this time.(1 Cor 1:3,4 (fla)
June 28, 2017
We worked with Ruth on our mission in the FHL. She was an amazing fount of knowledge. I had some old records with a different numbering system which I could not find. Ruth handed me a book with the info. I needed.
She taught us to read old writing. She taught us to find temple records. She advised us on our own files. We are deeply indebted to her for her selfless assistance.
Lara Rasmussen
MaryLou Burgoyne
June 28, 2017
Heartfelt condolences to Kathryn, Vince, and all the family. Ruth has left a legacy of special service through out her short years here on earth. It was our pleasure to get to know her through Family History. Undoubtedly she was met by many on the other side of the veil, who are grateful for her devoted service.
Sincerely, Mary Lou Burgoyne
Vona Williams
June 27, 2017
Ruth and I worked together for almost 40 years. She was a great lady and I enjoyed our friendship very much. I am grateful to have known her.
Robb Ouzts
June 27, 2017
I was at work at the post officr yesterday when a mutual friend, who along with Ruth helped me greatly on my Swedish lines, let me know Ruth had passed. One day when I went up to the help desk. While up there, I looked down at what she was working on, and saw names I recognized. We discovered she was working on end of line for my grandfather's 2nd cousin. She freely shared what she had found on the mutual lines. She truly was a great giver. The mutual friends memory is going and she did not remember me. So she did not tell me when Ruth had passed. I was thinking I had seen her in one of my recent trips to the library, not that I go often, so the news came as a bit of a shock. My condolences and prayers go to her family at this time.
Ruth is on the left, and I'm attached to her, of course. With my mother, Donna, and my two brothers, Chris and Peter
Mindy Kuti-Childress
June 27, 2017
I am Larry Maness' (Ruth's uncle) granddaughter and so very sad to hear about cousin Ruthie. I only remember actually seeing her in person one time when she visited us--when I was little in the early 70's and our family lived in New York City. I still remember how much I absolutely adored her--she was the sweetest, nicest person to all of us, and I'm sure I followed her around the whole time. She interviewed my father on audio tape about the Hungarian Revolution to keep for historical reasons (I still hope to find those someday), so she was ahead of her time in genealogy even back then.
Later, when I started becoming obsessed with genealogy as an adult, I did some checking and found out that Ruthie was actually teaching research classes and was basically the family historian. We spoke on the phone and she emailed me a lot of very helpful information and photos and was still the nicest, sweetest person imaginable.
I was really hoping to see her the next time I visited the Salt Lake City area. I am so sorry that I will miss that opportunity. My condolences to everyone whose life she touched.
Because of you, and other selfless people like you, this dream is a reality. Thank you for all you have done to serve those who have served you.
Anomynous Citizen
June 26, 2017
Gisèle Tauzin
June 26, 2017
Affectueux souvenir et sincères condoléances.
Sue Kirk
June 25, 2017
I am grateful to have been able to benefit from Ruth's vast genealogical knowledge which she shared at the Family History Library. She will be greatly missed.
Sue Kirk
Sondra & Kent Pocock
June 25, 2017
We served with Ruth while serving a Family History mission. We were blessed to specialize in Scandinavian research and glean from her knowledge. So gentle, so diligent, so giving, so dedicated to FH, so kind to the guests who needed her expertise, so patient with those of us who were just learning, so willing to share her knowledge....she will be soooooo missed!!!
Cheryl Slack
June 25, 2017
Ruth was such a lovely woman. So kind and sweet and always ready to help. I'll miss her.
Maurine & Karl Wheatley
June 25, 2017
We so admired and respected Sister Maness as we were blessed to serve with her at the FHL in SLC 2015-16. Brilliant and very kindly...NC Wheatleys
June 25, 2017
Give of yourself that others may find the value of themselves
No one can question our Sisters commitment to the Gospel; the deep abiding belief in Creator.
Ruth's love for the Savior was as a Mothers love for her child; unconditional, eternal, irrevocable.
Her belief in the love of the Savior for her was unshakable, uncompromising. It inspired dedication to the service of her fellow Beings.
Ruth's Mission for the LDS Church deeply impacted her life.She made the conscious decision to forgo her dreams of becoming a Physical Education Instructor.
Instead, she chose a life dedicated to the service of the LDS Church, which, by extension was a life dedicated to service of Humanity.
Ruth was not prideful, gave without thought of reward, there was no hidden agenda. She was unqualified-ably grateful for the gift of life.
Our incredible, gentle, ever vigilant, ever respectful, ever caring, selfless, totally altruistic Sister is everything she never, ever professed herself to be; a fully formed, brilliant diamond in this sea of stones we call humanity.
The Value to the Universe has been summed,
A legacy is begun,
The Book of Life has been opened,
A humble hand has grasped the pen,
The absolute promise of Eternal Life to the faithful has been fulfilled,
Our sister lives in a Glorious Realm our minds cannot phantom, it is an earned right of ascension.
The name Ruth Ellen Maness has been lovingly, irreversibly, eternally,
entered into the Book of Life!
I love you Ruth, I am so privileged to have you as a Sister. You have shown me the meaning of the words Unconditional Love,
I bask in the glory of your shadow,
Your Brother,
David
Kip Sperry
June 25, 2017
I worked with Ruth for many years at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. She was always very friendly and was known as a an efficient family history reference consultant and employee. She was a very popular presenter at family history seminars and conferences and her publications and articles were also popular.I send my best wishes to her family and friends.
Pat Campos-Carrillo
June 25, 2017
I remember Ruth, when she lived across the street from us on 1st south and 8th west, in Salt Lake. Sending sincere condolences.
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