Ruth Eleanor Carlson Benoit, Aug. 20, 1923 – Feb. 17, 2018
Always quick to care for loved ones and strangers alike for all 94 of her years, Ruth Eleanor Carlson Benoit is now taking a well-earned rest after moving on peacefully in Miles City on Feb. 17.
With her trademark “uffda” always at the ready and a friendly laugh that always lightened the mood, Ruth was a born caregiver, spending most of her life as a caring nurse, a loving wife and mother, a doting grandmother and a wonderful friend.
Born Aug. 20, 1923, in LeSeur, Minn., Ruth became a cheerleader and homecoming queen before graduating high school in 1941. Three years later, she graduated from the St. John’s School of Nursing and began what would become a passionate, lifelong career as a nurse.
In 1945, she joined the U.S. Army as a nurse, serving during World War II and in Okinawa, Hawaii and Korea. During her time as an Army nurse Ruth was aboard the U.S.S. Repose when it sailed through the historic Typhoon Rex near Okinawa, with 75-foot waves and 173 mph winds clobbering the hospital ship before it moved through the storm.
After the war, Ruth made her way to Twin Falls, Idaho, where she met a young WWII Army veteran named Albert Benoit, Jr., on a blind date. A few years later, on May 26, 1948, the two married and began their next great adventure – a family. While moving from Idaho to Illinois to Michigan to Montana, eventually settling in Billings in the 1950s, they went about raising their four beloved children.
Soon after landing in Billings, Ruth began a 25-year career at Deaconess Hospital and Billings Clinic as an oncology nurse. She was instrumental in pioneering the hospital’s oncology department and helped to save countless lives in her role as a nurse beloved by patients and colleagues alike.
A wonderful wife and mother, Ruth was always up for an adventure or a little mischief, be it summers with Ab on their boat on Lake Pend Oreille, letting her grandkids stay up into the early morning hours watching classic sitcom reruns, trying her luck at a casino or shaking dice around the table with family on a lazy Saturday with a glass of her special Grandma Drink close at hand.
Ruth is survived by her brother, Howard Carlson; her children Stephanie (Tony) Yeamans, Bruce (Lynn) Benoit, Becky (Brenda) Benoit and Daniel (Katie) Benoit; grandchildren Anna, Bryan, Zach, Kastina, Emily and Dusty; great-grandchildren Miannah, Kiah, Gavin and Noah; and too many friends, grandpets and other loved ones to count. She was preceded in death by her parents, Amandus and Lillie Carlson; sisters Alta Schulenberg and Lillian Maas; and brother Wayne Carlson.
Cremation has taken place and a burial will be held at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery in Boise, Idaho, in July.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Lewis says
I am sorry for the family’s loss. Please find some solace in the promise of the resurrection mentioned in the Bible at 1 Corinthians 15:15.
Joanne K Richardson says
Dan , Katie, and family
So sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you at this time. May she rest in eternal peace.
Jean Hickey says
Thinking of your family at this time.
Eugene and Connie Bankey says
Dan,Katie and family
Sorry for the loss of your mother -CONNIE and I send our condolences and have you in our thoughts and prayers
Ray & Becky Gookin and family. says
So sorry for your loss Katie, Dan and family.
You are in our thoughts and prayers..
Ray & Becky Gookin and family. says
We are sorry for your loss Katie, Dan and family.
You are in our thoughts and prayers
Dale and Ann Tribby says
Dan, Katie and Family;
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Bret and Tanna Aye says
Dan and Katie, so sorry for your loss. Will keep you in
Our prayers.
Trixie Muggli says
Dan, Katie & family Sorry for the loss of your Mom and grandma. You are in my thoughts & prayers.
Pam Wall says
So Sorry for your Loss. Your in my Thoughts and Prayers.
Dawn Rhoads says
Dan & Katie, and the families. Sorry for your loss, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Gerri Hanson says
Our thoughts and prayers for the family on the loss of this dear lady. She was a wonderful and compassionate nurse. I can only imagine the joy she brought to her family.
Sydne Meyers says
Ruthie….You are such a delight. There is not a memory I have that somehow doesn’t include Rutie or Ab and the Benoits. I feel very fortunate to know this family. Ruthie I will always remember your bed time ice cream cones…I would sit in amazement at not only how you made them and they stayed on the cone but in the fact that you could eat that and go to sleep. May many nites of games and lasagna and more games and adventures….God I love you!!! Rest In Peace Ruthie and take care of all those pets there to great you. Prayers to the whole Benoit Family. Dang, wish she could have stayed forever….Syd
Arlene Castaneda says
Ruthie ,I always smiled when you were mentioned or I was around you. I so appreciated that you came to my graduation. What fun I had at our dice games. I know that you will never really be gone because you live on inside your kids…. and so I will continue to smile. Hugs and love to you Ruthie..