Our loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and treasured friend, Ruth Widdison Dawson passed away Monday, April 24, 2023.

Ruth was born August 8, 1926, in Hooper, UT, the 11th and youngest child of James G. and Lillian Gardner Widdison. She was a lifelong resident of Hooper where she attended school. She graduated from Weber High School and Seminary in 1944.

World War II was still in progress, so she began working at Hill Air Force Base the day after graduation. She worked there for seven years where she met the love of her life, Fred Dawson. On March 2, 1950, they married in the Salt Lake Temple. They enjoyed 57 years of marriage, filled with children and grandchildren, countless friends, parties, and travels.

She was active in the church all her life, serving in both ward and stake positions. She especially loved serving in the MIA and Relief Society. She served as an ordinance worker in the Ogden Temple for 27 years, serving alongside her husband in the temple was one of the highlights of her life. Additionally, she worked with children in the Weber County school district for 26 years and she touched many lives through the time she spent there.

A great source of pride was her pioneer heritage, she belonged to the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and was proud to carry on the tradition of faith and share that with her posterity.

Our mother was outgoing, friendly, and happy. She made everyone feel like they were the most special person in the world. She had a great love for her family, the gospel, and her many friends. She took special joy in her beautiful flower beds, her comfortable home, and her front yard swing.

We know she is overjoyed to finally be reunited with her beloved husband Fred, who preceded her in death on December 20th, 2007.

Surviving Ruth are her son, Larry (Sharla) West Haven, and three daughters, Brenda (Doug) Child Midway; Dixie (Keith) Lauritzen, Sandy; and Kathy Hawks, Glendale, AZ. Ruth also had 22 grandchildren and 55 great-grandchildren. She was proud of all of them and made each one felt they were the favorite.

Mom's quick wit and loving demeanor will be missed by so many people. The family would like to express their gratitude to all the friends, family, and neighbors who visited our mother through the years. She loved to have people drop by for a chat and relished those conversations and friendships. She attributed her longevity to walking three miles a day and eating plenty of Hershey's chocolate.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 1, 2023 at the Hooper Stake Center, 5375 South 5900 West, Hooper. The family will meet with friends Sunday, April 30, 2023 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist's Roy Mortuary, 3333 West 5600 South and Monday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Stake Center. Interment, Hooper Cemetery.