Ruth Zurcher Worthen

Ruth Zurcher Worthen entered the world in Solothurn, Switzerland on July 5, 1949 as quietly as she went out. As a baby of an unknown RH factor, she arrived blue and weak with her mother describing her as a “tiny baby with the blackest curly hair.” Not expected to live, she surprised the doctors and nurses by going home 10 days later. 

Her parents, Hans and Hanna Zurcher, made the difficult decision to immigrate with their two young daughters to the United States when Ruth was not quite a year old, traveling by train, boat, and plane to reach their new home in Smithfield, Utah. 

Ruth spent her childhood in Smithfield, first living in a small log cabin with a little outhouse. The family was later able to knock down parts of the old log cabin and build a home big enough for their growing family. 

As the second oldest of five children, she would help her mother shell peas, pick raspberries, and pit cherries for bottling. She enjoyed caring for her younger siblings, although her early efforts weren’t always appreciated. One brother, unimpressed with her cooking skills, once stated to her, “You could burn water.” Ruth’s children are grateful she had such patient, test subject siblings because she ended up becoming a talented cook who blessed not only her immediate family but extended family, friends and neighbors with wonderful home cooked meals and beautiful baked goods — many inspired by her Swiss heritage. 

Being a child of immigrant parents who didn’t speak English at home was difficult for Ruth, and she faced the challenge of learning English as a second language in school. She worked hard to succeed in school and was a bright, curious person who enjoyed learning new things and was an encyclopedia of knowledge. 

Ruth was a go-getter from a young age, holding various jobs before raising her family. She spent summers picking what seemed to be a million pounds of beans for a local farmer as well as working at Sears Department Store and various jobs on USU Campus. She learned to sew her own clothes and made beautiful dresses for herself and her daughters. Her pantry and freezer were filled with diverse preserved goods from fruits and vegetables grown in her garden. 

As a high schooler, Ruth enjoyed cheering with the pep club and singing in an all-girl vocal group called ‘The Triple Tones’. She made many lifelong friends during her school years and would run into people she knew everywhere she went. Her shopping trips often turned into a chat session. 

Ruth married her eternal companion, Dennis Worthen, on July 5, 1968 in the Logan Temple, and her days soon became filled with caring for the needs of their six children. The family lived in Providence and Logan before eventually moving to Hyde Park where they spent many years making dear friends. 

She filled our home with music, encouraging us in our musical instruments, jamming out to her favorite radio station, or gathering us around the piano to sing. She had a beautiful alto voice and was a talented pianist and organist. 

Trips to Bear Lake with extended family were a favorite summer activity. We would drive the beach until she found the perfect spot; securing a picnic table was a must! Ruth and Dennis towed their boat to Bear Lake and Lake Powell year after year, providing a fun opportunity for siblings and cousins to gather and create happy memories doing adventurous things. The family also spent many weekends camping together, exploring near and far. 

Ruth was a gifted and graceful athlete. She enjoyed snow skiing and could sail down the mountain like a dancer. She would throw a softball hard enough to zing your hand, glide across the ice on her skates, waterski the blue waters of Bear Lake, hike with a baby on her back, and had the get up and go of a 20-year-old in her later years. 

Ruth was a loving and kind grandma who spent countless hours feeding hungry tummies, zooming toy tractors and cars, building Legos, stacking blocks, preparing snacks, nursing owies, admiring Lego creations, giving piggyback rides, pushing kids on big wheels, buying Legos, throwing a ball, jumping on the trampoline, listening to stories about Legos, making play dough, cleaning up messes, giving underdogs on the swings, reading books together, having tea parties, watching granddogs, and so much more. 

She found great joy in attending her children’s and grandchildren’s piano recitals, sporting events, band concerts, choir performances, orchestra concerts, school programs, marching band shows, gymnastic events, and track meets. She sat on more uncomfortable bleachers than should be allowed and continued her pep club career, always giving encouragement. 

She was an avid Utah Jazz fan and cheered them on when they were good and um…not. 

She appreciated exploring new places close by and around the world, including Switzerland, Thailand, and the Philippines, and enjoyed meeting new people along the way. She had a warm, generous and open heart, believing everyone was a friend she just hadn’t met yet. She was delightful to her children’s friends and fed anyone who came across her path. 

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, she enjoyed attending and serving in her church. She particularly loved ministering to others through her various callings and learning about their lives. She was an attentive and patient listener. 

Ruth faced many tests and challenges in life, all of which she faced with bravery, grace, positivity, gratitude, and faith in a loving Savior. She knew who she was and she didn’t let anyone else determine her worth or integrity. 

Ruth’s big heart gave way on May 6, 2025, passing from an apparent heart attack. She was preceded in death by her parents, parents-in-law Merrill and Arline Worthen, her beloved daughter, Wendy Worthen Stettler, and her stillborn baby, Ricky. 

Ruth leaves behind her husband, Dennis Worthen, children Shirlene Worthen Shaw, Dennis B. Worthen, Todd (Julie) Worthen, and Angie (Mark) McKenna. She also leaves behind her many beloved grandchildren, grandchildren-in-law, and two soon to be great-grandchildren, siblings Ursula (Kyle) Jaussi, Paul (Joyce) Zurcher, Charles (Arnett) Zurcher, and Heidi (Robert) Sorensen, countless nieces & nephews and dear cousins. 

An open house for family and friends will be held on the evening of Thursday, May 15, 2025 from 6-8pm at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 480 N 100 W, Hyde Park, UT. A private family viewing and Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, May 16, 2025. 

Ruth was a master of the 6 goodbyes—goodbye when you stand up to leave, goodbye after you talk some more, goodbye at the front door after you talk a while longer, goodbye as you talk on the front walk, goodbye as you get in the car, and a wave and smile to see you out the long drive. But don’t forget the double wave as she chases you out the driveway because she forgot to give you something. 

We didn’t get to say goodbye, so we’ll keep looking for her in our rearview mirrors.

Memories and condolences may be shared and expressed at www.allenmortuaries.com