Ruth Ellen Nye-Stephens

Ruth Ellen Nye-Stephens peacefully passed away to be with God the evening of Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014, surrounded by her loving caregivers and friends at Lighthouse Assisted Living in Missoula. Ruth was born April 7, 1926, to Ellen Barstad Nye and Howard Theodore Nye Sr. of Dixon. She graduated from Dixon High School and earned a social work degree from the University of Montana.

After spending brief periods working in New York City, Sun Valley and eastern Montana, Ruth returned to western Montana, living most of her life in and around Missoula. She taught piano, raised little dogs, cleaned homes, and walked door-to-door selling advertising.

Late in life, she married Clem Stephens of Missoula, with whom she enjoyed camping and road trips. Ruth loved the outdoors, especially her beloved Glacier Park, and she was a beacon of love to all she met, radiating goodness and humor. Ruth spent the last years of her life as part of the Lighthouse Assisted Living community, who became her family and whom she dearly loved, and they, along with Hospice of Missoula, helped ease her passing.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; by her husband, Clem Stephens; and by her brother, Howard Nye. Ruth is survived by her nephew, niece and sister-in-law, Paul Nye, Linda Nye and Jean Nye, all of the Seattle area; sister-in-law, Betty Nye of Nebraska; Mike and Marilyn Stephens of Missoula; as well as the residents and caregivers at Lighthouse Assisted Living, who were and are a blessing beyond belief.

Ruth will be deeply missed, but her light shines on in the lives of all she touched. A party in her memory will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, at Lighthouse Assisted Living in Missoula.
Read Ruth Nye-Stephens's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.