Ruth E. Padget
Ruth E. Padget passed away May 8, 2009 in Missoula, Montana. Ruth was born January 2, 1917 in Newell, Iowa. Her father, Ed Paeper, died in the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918. Ruth and her sister, Crystal, were raised by their mother, Opal, with the help of a caring, extended family. After graduation from high school in Newell, Iowa, Ruth completed business college and went to work for the Gamble-Skogmo Company in Marshalltown, Iowa. It was there she met Gail Padget and on November 4, 1939, they were married in Dike, Iowa. They lived in Marshalltown, Iowa for a short while until they were separated by Gail’s service during World War II. During that separation, Ruth lived in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and was then reunited with Gail in Pueblo, Colorado where he continued to serve in the US Army Air Corp. After the war they returned to Marshalltown. The family moved to Billings, Montana in 1952, and she lived there until January of 2009 when she moved to Missoula to be close to her son. Gail passed away in 1966. After Gail’s death, Ruth returned to work at Gambles, and then worked for many years worked with the school lunch program at Washington School in Billings.
Ruth was a lifelong United Methodist. Her quiet faith was the foundation of her life. She belonged to First United Methodist Church in Billings from 1952 to 1985. In 1985 she transferred her membership to Shiloh United Methodist Church where she was a charter member. She was a long time member of the United Methodist Women and taught Sunday school for many years. Ruth also enjoyed her garden, both vegetables and flowers. She loved long drives on Sunday afternoons, especially to the mountains near Red Lodge. Spending time with her husband, Gail, and her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren was the great joy of her life. In her later years, she delivered Meals on Wheels to those in need, and worked many hours as a volunteer at the Billings Chamber of Commerce and the Billings Senior Citizen’s Center.
Her sons, the Rev. Barry Padget, and his wife, April, of Missoula, Montana, and Ronald Padget and his wife, Stacy, of Fort Collins, Colorado; three grandchildren, Nathan, Genevieve, and Sean; and six great grand-daughters survive Ruth.
Visitation will be held 5-8pm Thursday at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary. Services will be held Friday at 2:00 PM at Shiloh United Methodist Church, 1810 Shiloh Road. Services will continue at graveside, with a reception following at the church.
Remembrances
Please leave your name and remembrance in this public guest book. Your comments will be shared on this page and forwarded to the family.
Barry and April you have my sympathy on the loss of Ruth. One of the things that impacted my path to ministry was the example of faithful laypeople who were part of the church when I was growing up. Your mother fit in the category. I also note that Ruth and Gail were married in Dike, Iowa. I just happened to pastor the United Methodist Church in Dike for several years. You are in my prayers. Gary Armstrong