Rush Funeral Home

Ask those families we have served...

Ruth's Register Book     Ruth's Memorial Video    Back to Obituaries

Ruth Sherwood Fairchild, age 88, of Philip, died Friday morning June 30, 2006, at the Rapid City Regional Hospital in Rapid City.

Ruth Sherwood was born May 19, 1918 at St. Mary's Hospital in Pierre, South Dakota, the daughter of Mervin Curtis and Fleta May (Weeks) Sherwood. Ruth grew up in Philip, attended Philip elementary school. She graduated valedictorian of her 8th grade class in 1933, and was the valedictorian of her 1937 high school class. Following her graduation from Philip High School, she attended business college and worked in Aberdeen at the Socony Vacuum Warehouse after completion of business college, living with her sister, Edna and Hubert Buswell, and family while in Aberdeen.

Ruth was united in marriage to Wayne Fairchild on September 4, 1938, at the Buswell home in Aberdeen. Ruth became a "farm wife" in 1938 after being a "city girl." They made their home on the Fairchild farm north of Philip until retiring in 1982. They moved to their present home north of Philip in the late 1990’s.

Ruth was a member of the United Church of Philip. She joined the Get Together Club in October 1938 and started a lifetime of serving on boards and organizations. She worked with children (including her own three) in 4-H, the Elbon Local Farmers Union and other organizations that needed a leader. Ruth served in all capacities in the above mentioned organizations and held offices on the county, regional and state levels as well. She held local and county Farmers Union Camps for many years, was a 4-H leader for thirty years, and in Extension Homemakers for fifty years. She was also secretary of the South Dakota Grazing Association, bowling league secretary, and even found time to do a little golfing when Philip started their golf course. Ruth was a news correspondent for the Pioneer Review, writing the "Betwixt Places News" for some twenty-five years. Ruth enjoyed gardening and canning, so a lot of the food that went on the table was through her labors. Both Wayne and Ruth were avid bowlers and enjoyed the challenge right up until their deaths. They also enjoyed traveling, owning an Airstream travel trailer and traveled the entire United States, Mexico and Canada. They also traveled to Europe extensively and even on the Concord to Paris, France, traveling under the English Channel to London and coming home on the Queen Elizabeth cruise ship, both are no longer in service. They spent the winter months in Sun City, Arizona and enjoyed family and friends spending time with them.

Happy for having shared in her life are sons, Kent Fairchild and wife Nina of Lemoore, California; Bruce Fairchild and wife Lois of Bothell, WA, and daughter Marsha Sumpter and husband Bill of Kadoka; eight grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; and three great- great-grandchildren.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husband Wayne Fairchild on September 18, 2002; her parents; a sister Edna Buswell; and two brothers Charles and John.

Memorial services were held 10:00 a.m. Monday, July 3, at the United Church in Philip with Pastor Mark Ford officiating.

Arrangements are with the Rush Funeral Chapel of Philip.

Ruth's Register Book     Ruth's Memorial Video    Back to Obituaries