Obituary; Ruth Poppleton Winkler

Ruth Poppleton Winkler passed away on August 5, 2015, after 5 years of battling cancer. She was born in Tremonton, Utah and moved to Sanders County with her family in 1987.  She was known locally for her volunteer work, teaching music and drama for over 25 years at Paradise Grade School. She co-founded the Plains-Paradise Players to perpetuate this service throughout the community  

Ruth’s first passion was her religion. As a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she took her faith in the Lord very seriously.  During her lifelong membership, she spent a lot of her time teaching children about the Lord.

A defining talent of Ruth’s was her ability to work with children of all ages, even when she was a child herself.  From an early age until less than a year before her death, she has directed countless children in music and the performing arts, firmly believing in the confidence and character performing on a stage can offer anyone, regardless of age.

Another passion for Ruth was her family at home and friends in the community.  She seldom forgot birthdays, holidays, or other special occasions, often sending cards, gifts, and money either across the country to a grandchild or across town to a friend.

Ruth was preceded in death by her father Russell Squires Poppleton and a son-in-law, Stephen Merrill.  She is survived by her mother (Anna), five brothers R. Allen (Marla) Poppleton, Joseph (Tonja) Poppleton, Robert (Jenny) Poppleton, & John (Becky) Poppleton, one sister Lorraine (John) Cherry, husband, Greg, and her ten children - Danielle (Brian) Stephens, Lauralyn (Scott) Olsen, Robert Winkler , Joseph Winkler, Catherine (Thomas) Fisher, Deborah (Stephen) Merrill, David (Wendi) Winkler, Daniel (Kimberly) Winkler, William (Maren) Winkler, & Benjamin Winkler, and thirty-four grandchildren (8 Stephens, 4 Olsens, 12 Winklers, 5 Fishers, & 5 Merrills).