Ruth Blair

Ruth Marie Marty Blair passed onward to a better place on April 2, 2016 at the age of 95 years and 7 months. She had been living in the Dahl Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home for the past two years. She was born on August 18, 1920, to William and Ruth Lucille Phipps Marty in Harding County South Dakota. Ruth Marie attended grade school in a country school and high school in Spearfish, SD, where she lived with her Aunt Lucy Phipps George during the school year. She married George Dale Blair in 1939 and they then purchased the Don Pyle ranch on North Spring Creek West of Ekalaka. They raised cattle and gradually increased the size of the ranch over the years. Their children are Grace Blair, Thomas Blair (Margaret) and Doris Blair Matz (Ray). In 1979, Tom took over the management of the ranch and Ruth Marie and George retired to Belle Fourche, SD, where they enjoyed their friends and relatives and bowling and playing cards. George passed away in 1998. She enjoyed her daily walks at the Senior Center in Belle Fourche and meeting friends for coffee. She was totally devoted to her husband and children throughout her life. She moved to Assisted Living in Belle Fourche in 2011 and then to the Nursing Home in Ekalaka in 2013. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, George, and siblings Doris Marty (at age 14), John Marty (Helen) and William Marty Jr. (Maxine) and granddaughter, Jody Matz. She is survived by daughter, Dr. Grace Blair, son, Tom Blair (Margaret) and grandchildren Deann Miller and Barry Blair, daughter, Doris Matz (Ray) and grandson Jay Matz. She has 5 great grandchildren as well. Sisters-in-law Helen Marty and Maxine Marty are living in Spearfish and Belle Fourche, SD, respectively. Her cremains will be placed beside her husband on the family ranch. A memorial service will be planned for late spring. Memorial donations may be made to the Dahl Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home in her name.


Burial Date: April 11, 2016