Wayne and Ruth moved to Plentywood in 1962 and she began working at Sheridan Memorial Hospital in October of 1971. She worked in the Laundry Department and later in Housekeeping for approximately 23 years. Her husband Wayne passed away October 29, 2002.


After retirement she kept busy in her yard with flowers - more flowers than grass - and a small garden, even though it was hard get anything go grow in the sandy soil in her yard.

She had to get out every day to have coffee at the Can Am with her friends and see what was going on in town. She enjoyed going to the Golden Years Club for lunch and playing Skip-O and doing puzzles. Ruth liked to crochet and was in the process of crocheting a blanket for a great grandchild, due in March of this year.


In July of 2008 Ruth's family had its first-ever family reunion in Big Stone Lake, South Dakota held during the 125th celebration of Clinton, Minnesota. The family regards this time together as a blessing, because it was the last time Ruth and her sister Marie were together, as Marie passed away December 11, 2008.


She was a member of American Legion Auxiliary and Plentywood Lutheran Church.


She is survived by her children: Wayne Keith, Jr. and his wife Joyce of Plentywood; Gary Keith of Missoula, Montana; Robert Keith of Wahpeton, North Dakota and a daughter Peggy Zebroski and her husband Steve of Pierre, South Dakota. She is also survived by six grandchildren: Randy and

Brandon Keith, Stephanie, William and Zachery Zebroski. Also surviving are three great-grandchildren:


Ruth is also survived by her sister Katherine Lee of New Ulm, Minnesota and a brother John Philagios of Denton, Texas; a brother-in-law Kenneth and a sister-in-law

Doris . Many nieces and nephews also survive.


She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a daughter Linda Keith and a sister Marie Zehringer.


Fulkerson Funeral Home of Plentywood is in charge of arrangements.


A funeral service for Ruth Keith will be held at 2:30 P.M. on Saturday, January 17, 2009 at Plentywood Lutheran Church with Pastor Ron Martin-Dent officiating. Burial will be in Plentywood Memorial Cemetery, following the service. Ruth, 73, died in her home in Plentywood on January 12, 2009.


Ruth was born on September 19, 1935 in Clinton, Minnesota, a daughter of Evelyn and Nicholas Philagois. She grew up on the family farm, three miles north of Clinton. She graduated from Clinton High School.


Ruth married Wayne Keith on June 17, 1956 in Clinton and they moved to Montana in 1957 settling in Redstone, where Wayne worked for Leonard and Sammy Smith. She was a home maker in her early years, busy raising children. She liked to bake bread, buns, pies and cookies and also canned pickles and made jelly.