Ruby L. Tanner

Ruby Tanner, 83, Caldwell, ID and formerly of Jamestown, ND, died Friday, September 22, 2017 in Canyon West Care Center under the care of Horizon Hospice.

Ruby Louise Reynolds was born April 19, 1934 in New Albany, KS, the daughter of Ray and Vivian (Ottinger) Reynolds. She moved with her family to Aberdeen, ID in 1946 where she attended school, graduating from Aberdeen High School in 1953. Ruby attended Westminster College in Salt Lake City, UT where she met her future husband, Leslie Tanner. They were married August 26, 1956 in Aberdeen, ID. They had two children, Michelle, born in 1957, and Michael, born in 1959.

Ruby and Les and their children lived in Salt Lake City while Les earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. The family moved to Jamestown, ND in 1962 where Les taught at Jamestown College.

Ruby created a wonderful home life for her family. After their children had graduated from high school and moved on to college, she worked at a fabric store and as attendance secretary for Jamestown Junior/Senior High School. In 1979, Ruby, Les, and Michael moved to Caldwell, ID where Les taught at The College of Idaho. She worked at Caldwell Public Library as Director of Circulation for 13 years then worked as receptionist and later as a real estate sales agent for Nova Realty in Marsing, ID. She retired in 2000. After retirement, she began working for IDAHO magazine as the Calendar Editor.

Ruby had many talents. She was an excellent seamstress, sewing all sorts of clothing for herself and her family. She was also a very good cook, tended to many houseplants, and outdoor flowers. She enjoyed reading, working find-a-word puzzles, and watching old westerns on tv. Her best talent of all was creating a warm and loving home for her husband and children.

Ruby is survived by her husband of 61 wonderful years, Les, Caldwell, ID; daughter, Miki (Bob Bendickson) Tanner-Bendickson, Cooperstown, ND; son, Michael (Trudy) Tanner, Sleepy Hollow, IL; grandchildren Austin, Sleepy Hollow, IL; Carson, Milwaukee, WI; and Olivia, Rockford, IL; and a sister, Betty Coulter, Yucaipa, CA. She is also survived by Jimmy, their cat.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ray and Vivian; and cherished pets, Betsy, Tippy, Mollie, Niki, and Scarlet.

Memorial services for Ruby will be held Saturday, October 21, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. in the Cooperstown Funeral Chapel with visitation one hour prior to services. Burial will be in Cooperstown Cemetery, Cooperstown, ND.

Memorials can be directed to Canyon County Pet Haven, 333 Orchard Ave, Nampa, ID, 83651 or IDAHO magazine, Box 586, Boise, ID, 83701, or to an organization of your choosing.