Ruby Koomana Ditto

Obituary Ruby Koomana Ditto
BLACKFOOT – Ruby Ditto, 86, a longtime resident of Blackfoot, Idaho, passed away at her daughter's home on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, with family by her side.
Ruby was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on May 22, 1938, to Alfred Mahoe Kekua and Ruby Koomana Keahilihou Kekua-Renion. She attended school at St. Anthony's Orphanage and later a vocational school in Honolulu, where she trained as a seamstress. She met and married Carl Franklin Cantrell in Honolulu in 1956 and had three children: Carol, Carl Jr., and Rose. They later divorced. She then met and married Kenneth Wayne Ditto on November 26, 1963, and together they had four children: Renee, Brian, Barry, and Lani.
Her greatest joy was family. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, camping, and gardening - passions she generously shared with everyone around her. For years, Ruby was a dedicated member of St. Bernard's Catholic Church, where she gave her time and talents to serve the parish and local community. Around 1990, she and her friend Ladene Conan opened the original St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store in Blackfoot, which became a valued community resource. Ruby was also a gifted cook and later opened a diner called "Ruby D's" in Blackfoot, where she hosted Thanksgiving meals for those in need. She was generous, kind, and believed in offering a hand to anyone struggling.
Ruby proudly embraced her Hawaiian heritage and passed down the traditions and stories of her childhood to her children and grandchildren. Her family continues to honor those customs with luaus for birthdays, weddings, and special occasions. Her handmade quilts, donated each year to the 4th of July Luau, became a beloved highlight and a symbol of her generous heart.
She is survived by her son-in-law Rickey Rogers of Calhoun, Georgia; her children Rose Miller of Blackfoot, Idaho; Renee (Lee) Criswell of Kennewick, Washington; Brian "Bud" (Becky) Ditto of Philomath, Oregon; Barry (Mishel) Ditto of Moses Lake, Washington; and Lani (Darren) LaCasse of Fairbanks, Alaska.
She is also survived by her many grandchildren: Leilani Rogers, Amy Cantrell, Dylan Cantrell, John Ditto, Vanessa Ditto, Raligh Miller (and Whitleigh Neitzel), Tara Trejo (and Juan Trejo), Briana Criswell, Tanya (Ortega) Laverty, Jeramey Ortega, Jennifer Caldwell (and Ray Jones), Zackary Caldwell, Travis Caldwell, Maddy Ditto (and Colten Hays), Bailey Ditto (and Nate Forster), Charlee Parris (Ditto), and Jeffery Parris), and Troy Jensen.
Her great-grandchildren include Amy Godinez and Ross Trejo, Anjelic Ditto, Tavian, Sophia, Kehlani Trejo, Bentleigh, Stiles Miller, Bradley, Caitlin, Blake, Kamden, Ryker, Rylan, Logan Parris, Mason, Morgan, Memphis Williams, Lacey Warrington, Kellan Folts, Elliot Hays, Lily Jones, Aiden Caldwell, Keona, Brooklynn, Jaxton Ortega, and many beloved nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 47 years, Kenneth Wayne Ditto; her longtime companion, Dale Trautman; her parents Alfred and Ruby; her daughter Carol Leilani Rogers; her son Carl Franklin Cantrell Jr.; her son-in-law Rick K. Miller; her granddaughter Fawn Warrington; and her great-granddaughter Malia Anjelic Tran.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Luau in Philomath, Oregon, on July 5, 2025. A service will be held at Hawker Funeral Home in Blackfoot, Idaho, tentatively on July 8, 2025. Interment will follow at the Utah State Veterans Cemetery in Bluffdale, Utah.