Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Activity Day with Dad


A fun Activity Day on Saturday, June 15 found B7 Primary girls and their dads celebrating Fathers Day together on a hike in Pioneer Park.  Leaders Suzie Long and Joy Alldredge, who organized the event, along with dads and daughters, all had a great time hiking and exploring the beautiful red rocks on the hillside overlooking their hometown. Thanks to all who planned, prepared and participated in this fun and memorable activity.

Sunday, June 1, 2014

Farewell, Sister Ruth Landon

Ruth Aileen Landon, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, neighbor, friend and longtime member of the B7 Ward passed into eternity on May 21, 2014 at her Bloomington home. Ruth was born August 14, 1926 in Hemet, California, the youngest of six children born to Jean and William Aiken, a reformed Presbyterian minister whose church assignments took the family to Hemet, Pasadena and Fresno.

Her first marriage to a “dashing, smart and ambitious” young man was short-lived and ended in a painful divorce, but he showed this young minister's daughter the world and blessed her life with her beautiful, and only daughter Diane.

In 1957, Ruth met Keith Landon at his store while she was looking for employment.  Keith’s reaction when he saw the petite and refined little blond job seeker who would soon become his wife?  “I’m going to marry that girl,” he told his then-girlfriend. 

Keith, said to be “rough around the edges but devoted to family and God," introduced Ruth to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  In 1958 they married, creating a blended family including his son Berl and her daughter Diane.  Their union was later blessed with two more sons – James and Scott.  The family was sealed in the Los Angeles LDS Temple in 1963.

Sister Landon went on to serve in many capacities and numerous callings, including Relief Society President, Relief Society Counselor, Primary President, Primary Counselor and Primary Teacher. For more than 25 years she worked out of her home as a Jafra Cosmetics Consultant and retired as a manager. She was a wonderful cook and seamstress, loved entertaining, camping and playing games with her grandchildren. In 1989, after 30 years in Covina, California she and Keith moved to St. George where they were active in the Bloomington 7th ward and its Empty Nesters group.  

Ruth loved genealogy and through her diligent research, she found 5161 family members – some as far back as 936! 

Called a “special lady” who loved to entertain and was always prepared for large family gatherings or the unexpected visitor, Ruth also enjoyed good conversation, games, laughter and ice cream.  She always sent thank you notes for kindnesses shown to her and would search through dozens of cards looking for just the right one for special occasions such as birthdays, weddings, births or Christmas.  

As her health deteriorated, she especially missed going to church but Ruth Landon will be remembered by those who knew her as a class act and a great example of a celestial woman who kept the faith in grand style.