Ruth Wilkinson, 90

Ruth Wilkinson, 90, passed away peacefully on Oct. 25, 2025, at her daughters’ home in St. Ignatius.

Ruth was born the second of seven kids to Carl and Arbutus Hulquist of Sagle, Idaho. Ruth got married at a young age to Edward Wilkinson and they had 12 children together – seven boys and five girls.

Ruth was a selfless woman who always gave of her love and her time to help those who needed her. She spent her life doing a varied number of jobs besides being a full-time mother and housewife. She worked as a grocery clerk and also as florist – a job which she loved. She also worked as a seamstress, sewing cushions for wheelchairs for Easter Seal and also for developmentally disabled individuals at M.D.C. in Boulder, Mont.

Ruth was a born-again Christian and dedicated daily prayer time to the Lord and enhancing her spiritual faith. She loved doing crafts and making decorative photo albums and putting together floral arrangements.

Ruth loved being a mother and caring for her children and later in life being able to spend quality time with those now adult children, with grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed making life memories together and valued those teaching moments she was able to share with her kids and grandkids alike.

Ruth was predeceased by her father and mother, Carl and Arbutus Hulquist; her husband, Lee Edward Wilkinson; daughter Susie Wilkinson and son James Wilkinson; brother Carl Dean Hulquist and sisters Lou Eveland and Elaine Obenaur.

She is survived by her six sons, Arthur (Connie) Wilkinson of Pasco, Wash., Joseph Wilkinson and Thomas Wilkinson of Missoula, Christopher (Ronnie) Wilkinson of Boulder, Edward (Christine) Wilkinson of Cheyenne, Wyo., and Frank Wilkinson of Boulder; and four daughters, Colleen (Coco) Blood of St. Ignatius, Ruthie (Andy) Kulawinski of Alberton, Cindy (Gerry) Neville of Cheyenne, and Michelle (Jon) Dachel of Cheyenne; and 23 grandchildren, 53 great-grandchildren, and eight great-great grandchildren.

A viewing will be held at Foster Funeral Home in St. Ignatius on the morning of Nov. 8 from 9 a.m. to noon. A funeral service will be held at the Catholic Church on Saturday, Nov. 8 at 2 p.m. in St. Ignatius with a reception to follow at the church after burial at Pleasant View Cemetery.