Ruth Morrell Naumann

Ruth Morrell Naumann, 88, passed away on March 7, 2025. She was born September 21, 1936, in Hyrum, Utah to Lyman Daines Morrell and Florence Nichols. She graduated from Box Elder High School in 1954 where she was involved in student government. Ruth loved music and played the piano for numerous soloists, choirs, and bands. She loved to sing and performed with many singing groups and choirs. She was a gifted pianist that could sight read and play by ear. She could transpose for those she accompanied, reading the music in one key and playing in another. She had the gift of perfect pitch and once won a bet with a trumpet player who did not believe her.

She graduated from BYU with a degree in business and teaching and then she moved to San Francisco to teach high school. Reflecting on that time she said, “Watch Up the Down Staircase (film 1967) and you will have a picture of what teaching high school was like in the late 1950s.” While there she met her future husband, John Robert Naumann, a Danish immigrant. John and Ruth were married August 28, 1959, in the Salt Lake Temple. They made their home in Brigham City, where John owned a tool and die engineering business. They had four children: Kathleen (Dell) Blair, Linda Naumann, Wayne (Kristi) Naumann, and Jay (Melanie) Naumann.

After John's untimely death in 1976 from pancreatic cancer, Ruth worked as a high school teacher and then a court clerk. She eventually joined Morton Thiokol/Alliant TechSystems (ATK), where she worked in different departments to assure compliance in contracting and reporting. She received various employee rewards for her detailed and organized work. She went to night school to earn an environmental certificate, eventually retiring from the Environmental Control group. Ruth loved technology and was an early adopter, purchasing one of the first home computers. She taught herself HTML and helped run the company’s intranet. Her typing speed and accuracy was phenomenal, reaching over 120 words per minute with 100% accuracy on a manual typewriter.

Despite the challenges associated with severe rheumatoid arthritis, she played the piano and organ at Church meetings up until shortly before her death. She was involved with the ward and stake Relief Society, Primary, and Young Women's organizations, music, and family history. She attended girl's summer camp for many years. She was a gifted couture seamstress and avid quilter and crafter. Ruth's life was one of service, and she will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Ruth was blessed with sixteen grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Grandchildren: Daniel Blair, Adam (Kassidy) Blair, Cierra (Ben) Block, Hunter (Alicia) Schipman, Ian Schipman, Wolfe Schipman, Kyle (Katie) Naumann, Erik (Beth) Naumann, Jared (Shelby) Naumann, Macey Naumann, Josie Naumann, Shawn Naumann, Trevor (Brittany) Naumann, Spencer Naumann, Amelia Naumann, 0 and Connor Naumann. Great grandchildren: Clementine Block, Roan Naumann, Watson Naumann, Sybil Naumann, Jace Naumann, Willow Naumann, Rhett Naumann, Lily Naumann, and Sam Naumann.

She is survived by her children, grandchildren, and brothers David (Shirley - deceased) Morrell, Paul (Kathleen) Morrell, and Clyde (Rose Marie) Morrell. She was preceded in death by her husband John, her parents, and siblings Dwight (Jackie) Morrell and Nancy (Daryl) Stewart.

Funeral: Friday, March 14. Viewing: 9:30 am. Funeral: 11:00 am.
Location: Eighth Ward building, 139 E 300 N, Brigham City, UT 84302
Interment: Brigham City Cemetery
In lieu of trees and flowers, please donate to:
Breakthrough T1D (formerly Juvenile Diabetes Research Association).
donation@breakthrought1d.org

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