'Til We Meet Again, Dear Sister Ruby Robinson

Our dear Ruby Robinson passed away peacefully, at age 90, at her Bloomington home on Thursday, December 6, 2018 surrounded by those she loved most in the world.  While she must be very happy to see her eternal companion Ray again, she leaves behind her family of nine children, 26 grands, 82 greats and 7 3/4 great-great grandchildren, all who consider her a model of what a successful life should look like. 

In school, Ruby became known as "Lucile Ball #2" because of her antics on stage in numerous plays and programs.  Ruby was “enormously talented” with her hands.  She could sew like a professional, knit, crochet, embroider, and stitch amazing needle point creations.  She kept books for Ray's business and others from her home and in between the needs of her children.  She loved to cook and travel with Ray for business or pleasure.  She served in numerous callings in whatever ward they lived, including Primary teacher, Young Women’s advisor, Relief Society president, and any other assignment she was given … the last as a Sacrament meeting greeter, with Ray.  

When she and Ray married in the 1960’s, together they set a goal to make all 9 children in their blended family “feel loved, wanted and accepted.”  Every family activity involved the kids.  If the kids were there, so was Ruby … from football to baseball, drama to band, camping, fishing or snow skiing.  

She was also a great supporter of Rotary.  Ray was the member of St. George Rotary Club with a perfect record of attendance for 19 years, while Ruby was Mom to more than a dozen Rotary exchange students over as many years.  They came from Peru, Germany, Brazil, Japan and other countries around the world … and Ruby welcomed and loved each of them as her own!  

Ray and Ruby later became Grandpa and Grandma Robinson to Primary children, as well as "bus stop grands" near their home on Bloomington Drive, where on their morning walk, they would wait for the school bus with neighborhood children, making sure each was safely on their way before continuing around the block.

Ruby loved to serve others, loved her family and friends, and was “a lady” in every sense of the word.

She was preceded in death by husband Ray; an infant son, Carl; a son, Kelly and a daughter, Linda.  She is survived by her children: Glenda (Jack) Fuller, Bonnie Peterson, Laurie (Bob) Garf, Mike (Janet) Robinson, TJ (Jennifer) Robinson, Ray (Tammy) Robinson, and Pat (Karen) Robinson and their families.  

Until we meet again, dear Sister Robinson, you are missed in our ward, our neighborhood and our hearts.

Mele Kalikimaka, B7 Ward Members and Friends

 On Saturday, December 8, members and friends of the B7 Ward said “mele Kalikimaka” with pupu chicken over rice, green and macaroni salad and a delightful assortment of desserts for about 200 attendees.  There was lots of happy chatter among neighbors catching up … and  Christmas carols performed by the Primary before Santa made his appearance. It was a noisy, fun evening with lots of good food and good friends celebrating together.

B7 Relief Society Celebrates Christmas

Nobody throws a party like the B7 Ward Relief Society!  This year’s Christmas party, on Thursday, December 6, featured beautifully decorated tables – each designed and laid out with exactness and detail in the spirit of Christmas  - by B7 Ward sisters.  The food was delectable beginning with ham and turkey but completed with traditional holiday side dishes provided by generous Relief Society sisters.   

Entertainment began with a vocal solo from Briette Peterson accompanied by Scott Ford.  Jill Fraser shared her grandmother’s hand-illustrated Christmas story.  Julie Welch shared her musical talent with a rocking Christmas carol on the piano, then the sisters played Christmas Carol Charades, which included gales of laughter.  The Brown-Van Wagoner family’s holiday favorite cinnamon rolls were dessert while Sister Aubrey read her family’s favorite Christmas story “Santa Calls”  The evening was topped off  with the hymn,“Will You Come to the Manger,” featured in the First Presidency Devotional and concluded with the gift of a necklace featuring the First Family.   

A special thanks to those 75 wonderful sisters who shared their delicious family favorites and came out on a chilly late fall evening to celebrate the glorious holiday season; and, to committee members Shar Simkins, Stephanie Bradbury and Aubrey Brown-Van Wagoner who created, yet another, memorable event for the B7 Ward Relief Society.

Elder Jake Stokes Called to Idaho

Elder Jacob Stokes, oldest of John and Kris Stokes three children, entered the Provo MTC on Wednesday, November 28, 2018 in final preparation for 2-years of full-time service to the Lord and His children in the Idaho Nampa Mission.  

In 1855, Church President Brigham Young asked 26 early members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to settle among the Native Americans living along the Salmon River. They established Fort Lemhi in June 1855, but left three years later after problems with the natives. Latter-day Saint settlers came to the Franklin area in 1860 where they dug canals in the winter snows to be ready for summer irrigation. Franklin is Idaho's oldest permanent settlement. Other members colonized in Bear Lake Valley and in south central Idaho. Construction of the Utah Northern Railroad line brought settlement in the upper Snake River Valley in 1879. Church members taught agriculture, preached the gospel, and shared supplies with the Native Americans. A prominent chief, Shoshone Chief Washakie, was baptized during the early colonization efforts. 

When Idaho was given statehood in 1890, Latter-day Saints comprised about one-fifth of the state's population. Church Presidents Harold B. Lee, Ezra Taft Benson, and Howard W. Hunter were native sons of Idaho. Ricks Academy, founded in 1888, later became a junior college and was renamed Ricks College. In 2001 the school became a four-year university and was once again renamed, to become Brigham Young University-Idaho.

Today, Idaho church members number 450,347 with 5 temples and 4 missions in the Gem State.

We look forward to Elder Stokes' enthusiastic reports from the mission field and wish him godspeed and safe keeping in his work.