Obituary for Ruth Boldes Thomas

On October 13, 2023, Ruth Boldes Thomas passed away peacefully at her home in Orem, Utah surrounded by close family members. She was loved and admired by all who knew her. Her smile could light up a room and her sweet, gentle voice calmed many a weary heart. She was independent, refined, courageous and kind. She cherished her husband, Richard, her children, grandchildren, her brother, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ruth was the eldest child born to Gerhard and Margaret “Greta’ Boldes on July 5, 1936. Her parents escaped Nazi Germany in 1935 and reached Israel via Italy. Ruth was born in Rehovot, Israel, a city about 20 kilometers south of Tel Aviv. Ruth’s younger brother, John (Yorum) Boldes was seven years after her, and she loved caring for him. Jewish culture and traditions were very much part of her life at home and school. She remembered her parents as industrious and generous; recalled her father’s love of classical music and her mother’s German lullabies.

Given the difficult post-war climate and her father’s health concerns, Ruth’s parents decided to emigrate to the United States. She was 16 years old when they moved to Des Moines, Iowa. After graduating from Roosevelt High School, Ruth attended the College of Education at Drake University. She was fluent in German, Hebrew, and English and taught second grade and Hebrew classes.

She also worked as a manager and receptionist at a busy dental office. Later when she married Richard, they became co-owners of a flower business. Ruth had an artistic eye, admired fine handwork, and arranged lovely floral designs.

She was dedicated to justice and service and loved to assist others. She followed issues of the day and cared deeply about many of them – animal welfare, the environment, health access, international peace and volunteered with many of them throughout her life. In California, she raised funds for senior advocacy through a Mother’s Day bouquet project that engaged volunteers in making floral arrangements for women in senior centers.

A lifelong line dancer, voracious reader, and devoted book group member, she made friends everywhere she went. Her friendships spanned decades and her circle remembers her as open-hearted, curious, incisive, witty, and loyal.

Her greatest love was her sweetheart, Richard Thomas. They explored the world visiting 30 countries, delighting in and learning from the people they met. Whether rejoicing in adventure or weathering tragedy- they lost their California home of 33 years to fire -they always embraced their journey together. As some one who lived in two countries and more than seven U. S. states, she created a sense of home wherever she went.

We miss her profoundly and we will love her forever.

Ruth is survived by her husband, Richard, two sons Jonathan and Andrew , daughter in law (Uyen) a daughter, Laurie (Helena) as well as grandchildren Eva and Gabriel, her brother John and her beloved brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces and nephews.

There will be no funeral. In July 2024, family and friends will gather for a celebration of life. Many causes were important to Ruth. Donations in her memory to the Sierra Club or Best Friends Animal Sanctuary (Kanab, Utah) would be deeply appreciated by the family.

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