Ruth Ellen Nyqvist

1956 - 2018

Ruth Ellen Nyqvist
1956 – 2018
Ruth Ellen Nyqvist passed away at her home in Boise Sunday evening October 21st 2018, in the company of her close family and friends. She was 62.
Born in Santa Barbara County, California on the 27 th of January 1956, Ruth moved to Idaho when she was ten years old. As the oldest of four children, Ruth took on the responsibility of looking after her younger siblings. After graduating high school, she married then gave birth to her son, Ryan Servatius, when she was just 19 years old.
As a young mother with only a high school education, she was offered a position at the law firm Hart Burdick & Healzer in Jerome, Idaho. In the early 1980s, she moved to Boise and went to work for Hawley Troxell, eventually becoming a paralegal. For the remainder of her career she worked at Givens Pursley supporting the firm's managing partner and specializing in commercial real estate transactions. Despite having no formal legal training, she was sometimes tasked with training the firm's junior attorneys in important matters relating to deal making. Colleagues noted her unique ability to spot subtle yet essential aspects important to deal success. Yet in this, her efforts were always in service to making those around her better than they otherwise might have been. She seldom sought credit even when her contributions were great. Her selfless care for others was resounding, and was reflected in many aspects of her life both professionally and personally.
Ruth met her soul mate on Valentine's Day 1996 and married Kjell Nyqvist on May 6, 2000 at their home in Boise. Together, they traveled the world, frequently visiting Europe, also central America, the Caribbean, Hawaii, and even New Zealand. While the ocean was always her favorite, Ruth was also drawn to the mountains and rivers of Idaho where together they enjoyed whitewater kayaking and downhill skiing. In 2009 they designed and built their dream home above Boise's north end, where they hosted countless dinner parties for family and friends alike.
Ruth faced her illness as she lived her life--with strength, tenacity, and humor. She fought her illness longer than expected due to these qualities and the support of those around her whose lives she invariably touched. She will be missed by many; among them her husband Kjell, son Ryan and daughter-in-law Becky, daughter Adele and partner Jake, brother Sam, friends and colleagues including Bill Hart (now deceased), Roger Burdick, Bill Wade, Jenise English, Chris Beeson, numerous other close friends and several teenagers around Boise (now adults) for whom she acted as a surrogate mother. In particular, the family would like to thank the generous support of her colleagues at Givens Pursley for all that they have done.
A celebration of life will be held Monday evening November 5th, 2018, at the Linen Building at 1402 West Grove Street in Boise. Doors will open at 4pm, with the celebration beginning at 5:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Ridge to Rivers Trail System, 1104 Royal Blvd, Boise, Idaho 83706.