Ruth Marie Kelley Chess

Ruth K. Chess, 91, longtime resident of Shoshone, Idaho, passed away peacefully Sunday, June 2, 2013, at DeSano Place in Shoshone.

Ruth was born Dec. 12, 1921, in Rexburg to the late Frank D. and Lillian E. Kelley.

The family moved to Shoshone when Ruth was a teenager, and she graduated from Shoshone High School in 1939. She graduated with an Associate of Arts degree from Colorado Women's College in 1941.

She moved back to Shoshone and took a job as the deputy county treasurer. Ruth was later elected and served as the Lincoln County Clerk auditor and recorder.

Ruth married Claude A. Chess on June 13, 1947, in Shoshone. Ruth left public office to raise her three sons, during which time she kept financial records for both the Western Auto and Grosse Drug Store in Shoshone and served as the clerk of the Shoshone school board. She later served as Shoshone City Clerk for 13 years, retiring in 1984.

Ruth was active in Chapter K of the PEO, was a Past Worthy Matron of the Eastern Star, and was a board member of the Shoshone Education Foundation for many years.

She was a member of Christ Episcopal Church, where she played the organ for services and served on the Altar Guild. She was an accomplished pianist and organist, and often accompanied soloist singers at community events.

Ruth kept busy with her family, knitting, cross-stitching, reading, social activities and some traveling with longtime family friend, Hope Freeman. She organized the many photographs of her family into well-kept albums, which will be cherished by her descendents. She was deeply loved by her family and friends, and will be missed by all.

Ruth is survived by her three sons, Edward (Mariann) of McHenry, Ill., Stanley (Valerie) of Goffstown, N.H., and Alan (Del) of Meridian, Idaho. She is also survived by one brother, Lee Kelley of Tucson, Ariz., four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. As the only girl in her family of seven siblings, she was a beloved Aunt Ruth to many.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Claude; and her brothers Dean, Ray, Frank and Roger Kelley.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 8, at Christ Episcopal Church in Shoshone, with a committal service to follow at 1:30 p.m. at Shoshone Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Demaray Funeral Service -- Shoshone Chapel.

The family wishes to thank the staff at DeSano Place in Shoshone for the excellent care provided Ruth in her last two years. Memorial contributions may be sent to DeSano Place and the Shoshone Education Foundation.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting the obituary link at www.demarayfuneralservice.com.