Our dear Aunt Ruth was born on July 15, 1921 in Delta, UT. She attended school in Woodrow, Sutherland, and Delta. One of her earliest family memories was riding to school on horseback with her siblings. She continued her schooling at the Branch Agricultural College in Cedar City. She earned both Bachelors and Masters degrees in Home Economics from Utah State University. She married Eldon LaVar Coates on December 16, 1946 and lived with him in Kingston, Piute County, Utah until his death in 1964. She later moved to Salt Lake City where she lived until her death. She loved her work as home economist for the USU Extension service, teaching others the fine arts of canning, sewing, and home management. She was the ready source of information on all things home management before the advent of search engines. She blessed families in Piute, Wayne, and Salt Lake Counties for more than 50 years. She judged many fairs and competitions, both on the county and state levels. She loved interacting with the youth of the 4H program. She volunteered at the information desk in the Salt Lake County Government Center for over 25 years. She enjoyed meeting people, assisting the public, and was known as the lady who was always smiling. She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi service association for many years. Ruth was involved in her church community at the First Presbyterian Church of Salt Lake. She enjoyed traveling and had the opportunity to visit many places around the world. Most of all, Ruth loved her family. She passed away on June 13, 2015 at the age of 93. She leaves behind a great legacy of love and service.
She is preceded in death by her husband Eldon Lavar Coates, her parents John Mitchell DeLapp and Carrie Alice Anderson DeLapp Jensen, brother John A. DeLapp, and sister Betty DeLapp Baker. She is survived by her sister Marian D. Woolsey and generations of nieces and nephews who will miss her very much.
Graveside services will be held Saturday, June 20th, 2015, 11:00 AM, at the Kingston City Cemetery in Kingston, UT. There will be a visitation on Friday evening, 6:00 to 8:00 PM, at Larkin Mortuary, 260 East South Temple. In lieu of flowers, may we suggest you call someone you love, volunteer to serve the community, or make a donation to her favorite charity, the Pamela Atkinson Fund for the homeless.
