Dorothy Ruesch Wood

In the final hours of her 82nd birthday and surrounded by many family members celebrating her incredible life, our sweet mother, loving grandmother and great-grandmother and devoted wife, Dorothy Ruesch Wood, peacefully passed away on June 15th, 2022, after battling Alzheimers for several years. We are comforted that she is free and able to smile and express herself once again. Her memories are no longer blocked by the disease that took her long before she passed away.

Dorothy was born June 15th, 1940 in Cedar City, Utah, a daughter of Francis Lyman and Audrey Ruesch. She was the eldest of three bothers and two sisters and spent most of her childhood in Virgin, Utah.

After graduating from Rancho High School in Las Vegas, NV, she attended Brigham Young University. She loved to tell the story of how she met Arlington Wood on a blind date, but were not each others date. She was excited when he called a few days later but disappointed when he didn’t kiss her on the first date. She married Arlington, whom she dearly loved, on January 23rd, 1960 in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints St. George Temple.

She raised 9 children and was blessed with 43 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren. She remained a faithful follower of the Savior and his living prophets throughout her entire life. She was a remarkable historian and seamstress. She enjoyed reading, singing, playing the piano and watching movies. She attended numerous baby blessings, baptisms, temple ordinances, pre/post mission reports, setting-apart, recitals, concerts, plays, and graduations in which any of her children or grandchildren participated. She lovingly hand-made nearly 1000 plastic canvas Christmas ornaments, and various holiday and household decorations for family and friends.

She taught 4-H sewing for many years to her daughters and neighborhood friends. Sold Avon for over 13 years having won the Presidents Club Award every year. She was a crossing guard and worked for Davis County School District for a number of years. She also received a well deserved Clearfield City “Mother Of The Year” Award in 1993.

She was the greatest example of selfless service, sacrificing her time, talents and even donating her kidney to her eldest daughter, enabling Tina to live a normal life for many years. Her unwavering faith through life’s many trials was her greatest attribute, and a source of strength for those who knew her. Dorothy served with Arlington as Guest Service Missionaries for 5 years at Temple Square and the Conference Center in Salt Lake City.

Dorothy is survived by her husband, Arlington; her eight children, Jana (Dave) DeYoung, Alison (Sean) Carver, Tammy (Mike) Ulrich, John (Lisa) Wood, Wendi (Greg) Austad, Gary (Rongmei) Wood, Steven (Meghan) Wood and Emily (Nate) Wariner. She is also survived by her brothers Richard (Leanne) Ruesch, Jan (Peggy) Ruesch, her sisters Sally (Darrell) Whitney and LaNita Hadley. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Andy Ruesch and her eldest daughter Tina (Doug) Herdt.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 25th at 10:30 a.m. at the Clearfield North Stake Center, 151 North 1000 West, Clearfield, UT 84015. Friends may visit with family on Friday, June 24th from 6-8 p.m. at Lindquist Mortuary, 1867 North Fairfield Rd, Layton, UT 84041 and Saturday, June 25th from 9-10 a.m. prior to services. Internment will be at the Clinton City Cemetery, 813 N 750 W, Clinton, UT, 84015

The family would like to thank everyone at Enhabit Home Health & Hospice and Visiting Angels for their tender care of our amazing wife and mother.

Services will be live-streamed and may be viewed at www.lindquistmortuary.com by scrolling to the bottom of Dorothy’s obituary page. If unable to watch at this time it will remain on Lindquist’s website indefinitely.

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