Ruth M. Reno

Ruth Maria (Oswald) Reno was picked up and taken home by the love of her life and eternal companion Donald Frank Reno Sr. on Saturday, April 22, 2023 in Casper, Wyoming after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Ruth was born to George Henry and Margretta (Christensen) Oswald in Idaho Falls, Idaho on June 25, 1937. She was sealed to her eternal companion Donald Frank Reno Sr. June 17, 1958 in the Idaho Falls Temple and remained faithful to him until her final day.

Above all else, Ruth loved family. She had four children and taught them by flawless example how to live a Christ like life, and she exemplified the path that leads back to our Heavenly Father and home. Ruth also raised two foster children for several years, and helped them gain a successful start in life. She loved family get-togethers, especially when they involved picnics in the park. She loved the outdoors, and the smell of cooking breakfast amidst a grove of pine trees. Loving nature, she often commented on the greatness of creation which we enjoy. Even after her children were grown, she and her husband would take grandchildren camping, fishing, and on fun adventures during their summer breaks. Every grandchild has treasured memories of those times. Ruth was the epitome of mothers. It did not matter if the relationship was biological, foster, grand, great-grand, or even in-law, she was truly a loving mother to everyone she came in contact with, exemplifying the qualities of motherhood to everyone.

Ruth worked in several banks throughout her life where she was both teller and proof machine operator.  She enjoyed her career and gained many friends while working there. Her favorite jewelry to wear was pearls and her favorite flowers were carnations.

Ruth held many callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints throughout the years. She loved singing, and many times while singing, she would also wave her hand as if she were leading a group as a Chorister which was one of her favorite callings. Ruth loved serving others and continued to do so every chance she got. She was one of the founders of the New Seasons group in church which is a group for the elderly to meet often and be active together, and that group is still active today.

Ruth is survived by her son, Don (Julie) Reno Jr. of Grace, Idaho, her daughters, Donetta Reno, Barbara (Clint) Cook and Louise (Brett) Yarger all of Casper, Wyoming. Two foster children, Ron (Linda) Alger of Minnesota and Judy (Matt) Lyon of Nevada, 22 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren, 11 foster grandchildren, 19 foster great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, father, mother, 3 sisters, 1 brother, a Grandson, and a Granddaughter.

Not many can go through their life leaving a trail of sweetness, goodness, kindness, giving, and love to all that knew them. Ruth did. Words cannot do justice to the life she lived and the hearts she touched. Even though she may have lost the battle with cancer, her legacy will live on forever, and she ultimately won the war. She has left behind a great void and we all are honored and privileged to have had any role in her life. We are better people because of her. She will be missed but never forgotten. We hope that we might all make her proud.

“We can’t fully appreciate joyful reunions later without tearful separations now. The only way to take sorrow out of death is to take love out of life.” –President Russell M. Nelson

Family celebration of life will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the American Cancer Society at donate.cancer.org.