Ruth Heller

Ruth Louise Becher Heller passed away peacefully in her sleep at home on May 1, 2023, in Boise, Idaho at the age of 92. Ruth was born at home in Twin Falls, Idaho, to Albert and Louise ( Timmerman) Becher on February 27, 1931. She was the youngest of eight children, which included two sets of identical twins. She graduated from Twin Falls High School in 1949, a proud member of the '49ers. She married Donald Heller, also from Twin Falls, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Twin Falls on August 23, 1952. They were married for 55 years until his death in 2007. She then moved to Boise to be near her children and became a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Ruth had happy years growing up in Twin Falls, where her brothers taught her how to swim in the Twin Falls canal, how to drive when she was 12, and where in those days they could hear Shoshone Falls from their house on 4th Avenue East. As an adult, she was a trained singer and had a gorgeous soprano voice. She performed with the Magic Valley Dilettants, was a much sought-after soloist at the church (where she was choir director for many years) and she sang at countless weddings and funerals. She was a long-time member of the Twin Falls Federated Music Club and was the Idaho State Chairman of National Music Week in 1964. She worked at the Twin Falls Bank and Trust after high school and when her children were older, enjoyed working at Magic Valley Memorial Hospital until her retirement. She loved singing with the Magic Valley Chorale until she moved to Boise. She loved swimming, old classic movies (especially musicals and Esther Williams), the Sun Valley Jazz Festival, family get-togethers, traveling, and a good gin and tonic. Ruth was always ready to try something new, from games, books, and restaurants to trying out black nail polish. She had a beautiful instant smile and made friends easily wherever she lived. she was beyond generous in gift-giving, always wanted to find the perfect gift, and wanted to make sure everyone was included. She will be sorely missed by everyone who knew and loved her. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, her six brothers and one sister, her husband Don, and her son Kent. She is survived by her daughter Debbie (Bob) Moody of Boise, her son Duane (Sandra) Heller of Wilton, Wisconsin, and her son Gregg (Kay) Heller of Boise. She also leaves behind eight beloved grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren, all of whom she adored. Ruth resided at Edgewood Plantation Place Assisted Living at the time of her death, where she made many wonderful friends. She enjoyed music performances, jigsaw puzzles, golf ball toss, bocce ball, and especially bingo. She was a voracious reader. Her family would like to thank her friends and the staff at Plantation Place as well as All Care Hospice for their loving care during her last days. You all made saying goodbye easier. In Addition, Pastor Tim Pauls and Pastor Brandt of Good Shepherd, and Pastor Bruce Lund were a source of great comfort to her. A graveside service is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at the Twin Falls Cemetery with Pastor Roger Sedlmayr officiating. A short reception will follow at Parke's Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made in Ruth's name to the Magic Valley Chorale ( PO Box 2451, Twin Falls) or to the College of Southern Idaho Music Department. All services and arrangements are under the direction of Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home of Twin Falls, Idaho.