Oct. 19, 1918 – Nov. 3, 2011
Ruth Elizabeth Putney Snyder Flint. 93, of Sweet Home died Nov. 3, 2011 at the Rexburg Care and Rehabilitation Center in Rexburg, Idaho.
She was born Oct. 19, 1918 in Los Angeles, Calif., to Ralph Bryant Putney and Elsie Josephine Carlson Putney. Three weeks later, her mother died of influenza on Nov. 3, 1918. Her paternal grandparents moved to the family home to care for her and her brother. By the time she was in high school, she worked as a live-in mother’s helper.
She graduated from Monrovia High School in 1936. Although she never attended college, she placed a high value on literacy and read most of her life; in later years she always had a crossword puzzle book in her purse and consistently increased her vocabulary, keeping her mind active.
In August 1940 she married Donald Lee Snyder. The next year, they moved to Henderson, Nev., where Mr. Snyder worked for the government. After the war, they returned to California and began working in the nursery business. She loved working in the nursery and would be known as the woman with the beautiful flowers. Another of her interests was ballroom dancing. The Snyders would go to the Aragon Ballroom on Thursday nights to dance to the Lawrence Welk Band. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1960.
Mrs. Flint joined the LDS church through the missionary efforts of an 11-year-old friend of her son, Larry. Many church callings followed. Service was a way of life for her both in and out of the church.
She worked hard to provide a happy life for her family, as a factory employee and as a waitress. Working two jobs did not consume her; she made sure the family came first. When grandchildren came into her life, she visited often. Whenever challenges were presented before her, she faced them with strength and courage. Whenever she was frustrated, she would go for a walk rather than put her frustrations on others. She was a happy woman who preferred to work and serve without recognition.
On July 29, 1969, she married Elwyn Alton Flint in Burbank, Calif. They made their home there until 1975 when they moved to Sweet Home. Mrs. Flint was involved in many community organizations including the Craft Club, Herb Club and Gardening Club. She worked as a volunteer one day a week at the Gleaners second-hand store. She delivered Meals on Wheels “to the old people” until she was 89 years old.
With her love of gardening, she not only took care of her own yard, but she also helped several widows with their gardening needs. She often said she would die with dirt under her nails.
In July 2005, the Flints were sealed in the LDS Portland Temple. At this time, she was also sealed to her parents and to her children.
After a stroke in 2008, Mrs. Flint’s health began to decline. A year later, she moved to Rexburg, Idaho.
She is survived by her husband, Elwyn of Sweet Home, Ore; a son Larry Snyder and his wife of Hollister, Calif; two daughters, Donna and son-in-law Robert Ellis of Upland, Calif., and Barbara and son-in-law Christopher Mann of Rexburg; two stepdaughters, Ellen Altman of Corvallis, and Laura and son-in-law George Lanyan of Sun Valley, Nev.; 26 grandchildren; and 28 great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Flint was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Heather Ellis, in 1997.
Graveside services were held at the Rexburg Cemetery on Nov. 11. A memorial service will be held in Sweet Home at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, at the Sweet Home Funeral Chapel, 1443 Long St.