Ruth Halverson

Ruth Checketts Milligan Halverson

June 19, 1919 ~ August 9, 2018

Ruth Halverson passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 9, 2018 at the age of 99.

Ruth Valine Checketts was born on June 19, 1919 to Arthur Wilford Checketts and Frieda Vaterlaus, the third of seven children. She grew up on a fruit farm in Providence, Utah, and learned hard work from a young age through farm chores and caring for younger siblings. She also cultivated a love of flowers, entering specimens and arrangements in competitions from her childhood on.

Ruth graduated from South Cache High in 1937. She married her first husband, Jack Milligan, in 1940 and had two children, Karla and Paul. She remained the independent farm girl of her youth, walking eight blocks to the hospital while in labor with Paul, since she didn’t drive at the time and didn’t want to disturb the neighbors. While raising her young family, she continued her education by taking classes at Weber College.

Ruth’s work ethic showed in the jobs she took on throughout her life, beginning with berry picking at age 10 and continuing through work as a clerk for the Utah House of Representatives and as a department manager for ZCMI.

Ruth was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving faithfully in various church positions from her baptism in the Logan Temple in 1927 to the end of her life.

In 1976, Ruth married Marlowe Halverson, who loved her children and grandchildren as his own. Ruth loved spending time with her family, taking trips to Island Park and Sourdough Wilderness Ranch, and growing her award-winning hybrid irises.

Ruth leaves behind a legacy of faith, love, and determination for her children, Karla (Keith) Broeder and Paul (Deborah); grandchildren, Joyce Broeder, Janice (Greg) Pike, Gordon (Maria), and Patrick (Rachel); and great-grandchildren, Jessica and Jacob.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 18, 2018 at 2 p.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. Friends may visit with family on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Friday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the mortuary. Interment, Lindquist’s Memorial Gardens of the Wasatch, 1718 Combe Rd.