Ruth Hoglan

On the morning of Thursday, Nov. 17, Ruth Marion Hoglan completed her life here on this earth and crossed over into her new life, healthy, whole and free. Entering into eternity with her Lord Jesus, she joined her loved ones to complete what God had planned for her from the Beginning. Services will be held on Monday, Nov. 28 at 2 p.m., at the United Methodist Church in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, with interment following in the Grandview Cemetery.

Ruth was born on Thursday, Oct. 20, 1932 in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, to the North Bench MacDonald Clan, the eighth of 11 children. She attended North Side Grade School and graduated from Bonners Ferry High School with “The Class of 1951.” She married Larry Hoglan in March of 1952.

Ruth lived a full and active life until her diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease in 2004. Her life was filled with hard work, caring for others, music, and a strong faith.

In her younger years, she was known throughout the community as an excellent musician, singing, yodeling and playing the guitar at numerous community events. In her later years, she taught herself to play the violin and competed alongside her sister, Doris, at the National Old-time Fiddler’s contest in Weiser, Idaho.

Ruth had a wonderful sense of community and was an active member of the United Methodist Church from 1963 until her illness required her to move to Rathdrum, Idaho in 2011. She also served as a Boundary County School Board member 1972-73 and always took an active interest in programs that supported community youth. Ruth’s passing represents another loss of an outstanding citizen whose involvement and dedication to the community helped create the town we have today.

Ruth worked many years as a waitress starting in the 1940s, working at the Fountain Café. In 1967, she was hired as a receptionist at the Bonners Ferry Herald Office and worked there until obtaining a position with the USDA Farmers Home Administration in 1976. She loved this job and was so proud of the number of local residents she was able to help buy their first homes. Ruth retired in January 1996 after 20 years of federal service.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Larry, grandson, Christopher, parents, Amelia MacKay MacDonald and Donald James MacDonald, four brothers: Allan, Bill, Ralph and Jim MacDonald and four sisters: Doris Howard, Annie Ritz, Donnie Howard, and Jessie Schlener. She is survived by her brothers, Dan and Kenny MacDonald, daughters, Angie and Vince Gage, Larrie and Chris Clark, Linda and John Vanderpool, and sons, Rodd and Sara Hoglan, and Alvin Hoglan. Her grandchildren include: Casey and Matthew Clark and Jacob Coffing, as well as six great grandchildren: Kayla, Emma, Kate, Kendall, Emmett and Colin Clark.