Obituary of Ruth Holladay (1924 – 2021) – Rexburg, ID
Ruth Lorraine Holladay was born August 14, 1924 in Moreland, Idaho, to William Phillip Wray and Elsie Myrtle Marie Christiansen. She was the 2nd of 4 children. Mom grew up in Moreland and loved her life there. The family enjoyed camping, fishing and exploring Idaho.
Mom had several interesting jobs growing up; many dresses or shoes were ordered from the Sears Roebuck catalog with his salary. One of our favorites to hear was her job âRosie the Riveterâ for working on airplanes. It was there that she met her future pilot and the love of her life, Jean Dale Holladay.
They were married in the Idaho Falls Temple and enjoyed this blessing for 76 years. They were lucky to have 3 daughters, Kathryn, Jocelyn and Jeanne Ann. Moms’ lives as a small town girl have turned into a whirlwind of travel and sightseeing around the world during their Air Force careers. When they retired from the military, they returned home to Pocatello, Idaho and together built a beautiful house. Their main reason for retiring to Pocatello was to take care of their aging parents and they did so with so much love.
They were called on a mission to serve at the LDS Church Genealogy Center in Pocatello and loved working and meeting so many good people. They were then called to the Idaho Falls Temple as the First Counselor and loved that calling because it was the temple they were married into. After this calling, they continued to work in the temple until they were 88 years old. Mom enjoyed serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in many leadership positions.
She was a very hard worker and always worked to the best of her ability. I remember so many opportunities to serve, to help others, and to teach us to serve with willing hearts and hands. She made everyone feel warm and welcome in her home. She was a very good teacher and excelled in sewing, cooking, gardening, floral design, interior design, and embroidery. I would often see her working all night sewing new dresses to all the girls for holidays and birthdays.
She got her real estate license, but we never lived long enough for her to use it. Mom loved spending time with her family and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, no one has ever been hungry in her house and she will surely be missed by everyone.
She is survived by her children, Kathryn (Petter) Svanevik of Norway, Jeanne Ann (Brian) Chapman of Rexburg; their 15 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren: and her brother Douglas (Gloria) Wray from Payson Utah.
She is predeceased by her husband, Jean Dale Holladay, her daughter, Jocelyn Burns; granddaughter Michelle Svanevik; parents, William P. and Myrtle Wray; sisters, Lael Hoffman and Shirley Kisling.
Family and close friends are invited to a service inside the graves at 10:30 am in the Relief Society Room at Mink Creek Chapel, 8200 W Portneuf Road, Pocatello Id 83204. She will be laid to rest in Mountain Cemetery View, 1520 S. 5th Ave Pocatello ID 83204. Condolences can be sent online to the family at www.flammfh.com.
Published by Rexburg Standard Journal June 8-9, 2021.