Ruth Taylor Holt, 93, a beloved and kind woman, passed away peacefully in her sleep in Meridian, ID on September 2, 2025, while in the loving company of her family. Ruth was born on October 28, 1931 in Provo, Utah to her parents, Bacle David Taylor and Ruth Harper Taylor. She had four older brothers and is survived by her younger sister, Edith VanWoerkom.

Ruth attended primary and secondary school in Provo and attended Brigham Young University. While Ruth was focused on her studies and not at all thinking about marriage, she agreed to a blind date with a young man, Joseph Birch Holt, who had asked to be set up with the kindest and prettiest woman his friend knew. Ruth and Birch spent their first date at the Rainbow Randevu dance hall in Salt Lake City where Nat King Cole was performing that night. She liked Birch right away and he would become the love of her life.

She married her sweetheart, Birch, in 1952 in the Salt Lake Temple. Ruth took her education very seriously and graduated from Brigham Young University in 1954 with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education while 8 months pregnant with their oldest son. Ruth and her husband raised five children together, who Ruth loved dearly. Ruth and Birch shared their life together in Provo, UT; Bellingham, WA; Salt Lake City, UT; and San Jose, CA, and then moved to their final home together in Meridian, ID in 2003.

Ruth’s greatest joys and devotions in life were her faith and her family. She loved the gospel of Jesus Christ and held teaching and leadership positions in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She enjoyed working in the Oakland temple and visiting temples during her travels. She and her husband served as missionaries in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, working with high school and college students in the Church Education System (CES). They also served CES missions while residing in their homes in Saratoga, CA and then in Boise, Idaho.

Ruth loved to learn, travel, and read all kinds of books. She was grateful to visit several different countries, including spending a year in Germany with their young family for Birch’s work. She enjoyed trips with her husband, sister, and her brother-in-law to many places in the United States as well as an international trip to Russia.

Ruth’s family was her blessing. She enjoyed family reunions and all special occasions together, and she and Birch always loved hosting family visitors. Ruth and Birch encompassed their love of being together as family in their motto, “strength in unity”. Their loving natures were an unifying force and example in their family.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and older brothers.

Ruth is survived by her five children, Birch (Linda), Mary Ruth, Kevin (Kathy), Michelle (Curt Walton), and Susan (John Harris). She is also survived by 35 grandchildren (including spouses),46 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

Ruth will be missed and her memory will be cherished in the hearts of those she loved and who loved her. She will be remembered for her openness and kindness to others; she had a core belief that we should treat each other well and without prejudice that she exemplified throughout her whole life. She will also be remembered for her curiosity, laugh, clear blue eyes, intent listening, delight in storytelling, pastel colors, love for sweets, her delicious homemade cinnamon french toast, and her habit of cataloging facts about her family members to remember what they love as a way to show her love.

A viewing will be held on Thursday, September 11, at 6:30 - 8:00 pm at Summers Funeral home, 3629 E Ustick Rd, Meridian, ID. 83646

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 13th, at 11 am at Walker Sanderson, 85 E 300 S, Provo, UT 84606.