Ruth Clara Slaughter

Ruth Clara (Neidhardt) Slaughter was born on August 11, 1932, in Hebron, North Dakota. She passed away peacefully on July 5.

Ruth is survived by her daughters, Debbie Peck and Bev Walls; her sisters, Dorthea, age 100, and Edna, age 96; five grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild, with a second expected later this month. She also leaves behind many extended family members and dear friends who will miss her deeply.

Ruth was the youngest of seven children—two brothers and five sisters—and grew up working alongside her family on the farm in Hebron, North Dakota. When Ruth was only two years old, her mother passed away. For several years, she was lovingly cared for by her older brothers and sisters until her father remarried.

After marrying her first husband, Ruth settled in Bismarck, North Dakota, where her two daughters were born. The family later moved to Missoula, Montana, and eventually to Salem, Oregon. Following her divorce, Ruth began working in the laundry department at Fairview Training Center, where an unexpected invitation would forever change the course of her life.

In October 1961, Ruth's coworker Isabelle invited her on a hunting trip to eastern Oregon near the small town of Ritter. Isabelle promised Ruth she could ride horses and spend time on a farm—something Ruth hadn't experienced in years—and insisted she meet her single cousin, a genuine country cowboy who lived just over the hill from his parents.

Though hesitant to leave her daughters, who stayed with a trusted family friend while she was away, Ruth agreed to go. The cowboy's home was simple, with no electricity and no indoor plumbing, but after spending the day horseback riding behind him, Ruth often joked that she only had eyes for the cowboy.

Ruth loved to tell the story that Claire got her lost in the mountains pulled his rifle on her and jokingly told her, "Marry me or else!" She laughed and said yes. Their courtship was short but heartfelt. Before ever meeting Ruth's daughters, Claire sent them candy and wrote letters to Ruth. They were married on November 17, 1961.

Soon after, Claire moved his new family from Salem to Ritter during a November snowstorm—back to that little house without electricity or indoor plumbing. Thankfully, those modern conveniences came later.

Together, Claire and Ruth built a life centered on hard work, family, and the land. They farmed, raised cattle, and both drove school buses for many years. Around 1981, after Claire's parents passed away, they moved to the family homestead. When Claire passed away in 1999, Ruth remained on the ranch she loved, thanks to the kindness and support of many family members, friends, and neighbors. In later years, she moved to a care center, where she spent her final days.

Ruth embraced life with enthusiasm and joy. She loved being outdoors, tending her garden, chopping wood, sewing, crocheting, walking, canning, working puzzles, and exploring new places. She never passed up ice cream, treasured the color purple, enjoyed every opportunity for social gatherings, and always appreciated a good cup of coffee. She had a wonderful sense of humor, loved to dance, and had a gift for making people smile.

More than anything, Ruth will be remembered for her resilience, her hardworking spirit, her laughter, and the deep love she shared with her family and friends. She lived a full and meaningful life, and her legacy will continue through the generations who were blessed to know her.

She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered always.