Ruth Blackburn

In Loving Memory of Ruth Lorraine Browning Blackburn.

Ruth Browning Blackburn, 96, of Ashton, passed away December 16, 2024, at the Ashton Living Center of causes incident to age. She was born January 27, 1928, in Saint Anthony, Idaho, to George and Phoebe Watts Browning. She was the sixth of seven children. She was raised on Pony Creek Ridge at Canyon Creek on the family farm where she learned to work hard at an early age. She went to grade school at Newdale and graduated from Sugar Salem High School.

She married John Clinton Blackburn on November 12, 1946, in Rexburg, Idaho. They were sealed for time and all eternity on November 16, 1960, in the Idaho Falls Temple.

In 1953, they moved to Ashton where she raised her family of six children. Ruth loved the community of Ashton. She worked as the manager of City Drug for many years. She was a volunteer at the Ashton Visitor’s Center, the North Fremont Booster Club, and the City of Ashton Archives. She was active in the American Legion Auxiliary and was a member for over 60 years.

Ruth loved Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where she was an active member. She served in many ward callings, Primary, Ward Historian, and she served as the President of the 2nd Ward Relief Society for longer than anyone else. In 1996, she and John served a Family History Mission in the San Bernadino California Mission. There she humbly helped individuals find their ancestors.

Ruth enjoyed crocheting, embroidering, and growing all kinds of flowers in her yard. Mom truly enjoyed life. Everyone who knew her loved her!

Ruth is survived by her children, Anita (Terrell) Perry, Cindy (Michael) Thompson, Gloria (David) Irons, Rick (Rachel) Blackburn, all of Idaho Falls; 21 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren, and 12 great-great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents; all of her siblings; her loving husband, John Blackburn; son, John Steven Blackburn; daughter, Katherine Treva Norris; and granddaughter, Lisa Marie Perry.

The family would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the Ashton Living Center for their service and loving care for our Mother.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 21, at the Ashton Stake Center, 516 North 2nd Street, with Bishop Justin Heiner of the Ashton 2nd Ward officiating. The family will receive friends Saturday morning from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the stake center prior to services. Interment will be in the Pineview Cemetery under the direction of Baxter Funeral Home.