Norma Ruth Reynolds Eastep
Jan. 24, 1923-July 27, 2009
Friday, July 31, 2009 10:47 AM PDT
Eugene
Norma Ruth Reynolds Eastep died on July 27, 2009, in Eugene, Ore. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 3 at First Baptist Church in Caldwell, Idaho. Interment will follow in Emmett, Idaho.
Ruth was born Jan. 24, 1923, to Guy and Gladys Howard Reynolds of Smith’s Prairie, Idaho. Gladys traveled by horse-drawn wagon to Boise to have her baby. Ruth was the sixth of seven children. Her family was involved in farming in Smith’s Prairie and Emmett, gold mining in the Dixie area and running a feed store in Council. Ruth rode horses, herded sheep, played the piano, did recitations and excelled in school work.
After graduating from Emmett High School at age 16, Ruth graduated from business school in Boise and stayed there for her employment. While at a dance, she met Walter Eastep, who was working at a shoe shop. They married the following spring on May 17, 1941, and were married for nearly 54 years. They bought a house in Boise, lived there about a year, then moved to Portland, where Walter worked in the shipyards. When Ruth was close to having their first child, she rode the train to Emmett to be with her family, and Norma Jean was born there. When Walter was shipped overseas for World War II, Ruth and Norma moved back to Emmett and lived with Ruth’s parents.
In 1946, Ruth and Walter moved to Caldwell, where they purchased George’s Shoe Shop. They had a second daughter, Kathleen Sue, and when Kathy was in first grade, Ruth went to work for the Federal Land Bank and worked there for 26 years. She enjoyed the work and the people, making many good friends.
In later years, Ruth moved to Eugene, Ore., and loved being close enough to the ocean to be able to do a day visit.
Ruth was active in the Rebekahs, receiving her 50-year pin in 1995. She was a Soroptimist, taught Sunday School and was treasurer for the First Baptist Church of Caldwell.
Those who knew her enjoyed Ruth’s keen wit and calm spirit. She was efficient in the duties of her job and home; she was a reliable and helpful friend. She loved visiting with her family and kept in touch with all. She will be missed.
Survivors include her two daughters, Norma Jean Smith and husband, Clinton, of Ontario, and Kathy Webster and husband, Fred, of Eugene; grandchildren, Scot Smith of Boise, Jennifer Smith of McCall, Brooke Webster of Eugene and Reed Webster of Eugene; three great-grandchildren, Zach Smith of Ontario, Madeleine Hinson of McCall and Blake Webster of Eugene; and her brother, Dr. Don Reynolds, of Boise.
We hold you in our hearts, Mom. — Norma and Kathy.
