Ruth L. Smith was born February 24, 1904, at Dennison, Iowa, to Fred J. and Daisey (Larson) Smith.

As a young girl she moved with her parents to the state of Washington where they lived for a couple of years before moving to a ranch north of Philip, South Dakota.  She grew up on the ranch and received her education from Spearfish Normal School.

Ruth was united in marriage to Jake Valliant in January 1923 at Philip.  They owned and operated a ranch 30 miles north of Philip until they retired in 1969 and moved into Philip.

After Jake's death in 1972, Ruth continued to make her home in Philip.  In May of 1989 she moved into the Philip Nursing Home because of health reasons.

Ruth was a member of the Community Evangelical Free Church of Philip, where she has devoted much of her time and talent.

Grateful for having shared her life are her three daughters, Doris Porta of Philip, Joyce Parsons of Rapid City, and Mary Anderson of Moraga, California; 8 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; one brother, Bernard Smith of North Carolina; and a host of other relatives and friends.

In addition to her husband, Jake, she was preceded in death by one daughter, Margaret Ruth Valliant; her parents; and one sister, Grace Gasson.

Services
Monday, January 25, 1993
3:30 p.m.
Community Evangelical Free Church
Philip, South Dakota

Officiating
Reverend Don Olson

Music
Pauline Olson - Organist
Barbara Applegate - Vocalist

Ushers
Jack Hansen - Bob Hansen

Active Pallbearers
Mel Smith - Brock Smith
Keith Emerson - Duke Ferguson
John Noteboom - Paul Larson

Honorary Pallbearers
All relatives and friends in attendance

Interment
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota