Ruth Elaine (Fort) Wheeler

Ruth Elaine (Fort) Wheeler was born on October 22, 1927, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Her parents were Guy Earl Fort and Esthma (Harding) Fort. Recently Ruth predicted she would make it to her 97th birthday, but not too long after that, she passed away on November 1, 2024, at age 97 years 8 days.

After graduating from Granite High School, she entered nursing school at the L. D. S. Hospital in Salt Lake, becoming a Registered Nurse from the LDS School of Nursing, September 23, 1949. She continued her education at the University of Utah, receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree, August 13, 1957. 

Ruth married Ivan Larrabee in the Salt Lake LDS Temple in June of 1949. Ivan suffered from diabetes and passed away at the end of 1952. Ruth met Jack Wheeler in 1953, and they were married that same year. The couple settled in Ogden, Utah where Jack worked for Hill Air Force Base for 35 years. 

Ruth taught nursing at Weber State College and then at the University of Utah. Desiring more education, she went to UC Berkley in California for one year (1965-66) acquiring a Master of Science degree in Education.

Since Jack was legally blind his whole life, they dedicated much time to the Ogden Council of the Blind, with Jack serving as President and Ruth serving as secretary/treasurer for many years.

Always diplomatic, kind and patient, she was loved, honored, and admired by all who knew her, including 6 siblings, 36 nieces and nephews and innumerable extended family members.

Ruth lived a very long life in service to thousands of patients as a nurse, to thousands of students as a teacher and professor of nursing and she even taught children at the Blind School in Ogden. She served as a Utah State Rehabilitation Counselor for people losing their sight throughout the state. She served in many professional and civic organizations. She developed and published several university classroom curricula. Notably, she received Utah Nurses Associations Nurse Educator of the Year Award in both 1978 and 1984.

Ruth is survived by her husband, Jack Wheeler and two brothers, Wayne H. Fort and Earl J. Fort. She was preceded in death by her parents, and four siblings, Marguerite Phillips, Edith Wabel, Lyle Fort, and Naomi Stout. 

At Ruth’s request, no funeral services or burial services are planned.