Ruth Leila McDonald

Ruth Leila McDonald Mitchell Foulger peacefully went home to Heavenly Father on Thursday, March 19, 2024, at the age of 81. Ruth survived having Polio as a young child. The long-lasting effects took their toll during her lifetime, and complications resulting from Post-polio Syndrome ultimately brought her mortal life to an end.

Ruth was born to Kenneth George McDonald and Inez Ann Monson on June 26, 1942, in American Fork, Utah. As a child she loved music. It is recorded in her baby book that she fell off the piano bench at 18 months of age. She helped her mother teach piano lessons, accompanied the ward choir, and was called to be the ward organist at age 12.

Ruth met Donald Ray Mitchell at a friend's wedding. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on October 12, 1960. They lived in Pleasant Grove when they had their first child then moved to American Fork, where they had two more children. After 9 years of marriage, they moved their family to Sandy, Utah, where they had their fourth child. Their four children are Donald Keith Mitchell (Debbie Grey), Diann Folkersen (Roger Folkersen), Brent Dean Mitchell (Xiaotang Yin), and Marc Alan Mitchell (Joanne Dredge).

While living in Sandy, Ruth was active in the PTA and was President of the PTA at Alta View Elementary School for a time. Ruth was a woman of faith. Her faith in the Savior gave her strength and courage to move through her life and the challenges she faced. Ruth served in many callings, giving service from the heart and showing her love of the Savior. She served as a Primary Teacher, ward Relief Society President, ward Primary President, ward Organist, ward Choir Accompanist, Salt Lake Temple Organist, and Salt Lake Temple Ordinance Worker.

Don and Ruth divorced in 1977, after which Ruth moved her family to Midvale, Utah. She returned to college and earned a Bachelor's degree in Piano Pedagogy, graduating Magnum Cum Laude. She went on to earn a Master's degree in Social Work and became a practicing Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Ruth also served as a Facilitating Missionary in the Addiction Recovery Program for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Ruth was married to John Cragun Foulger, a high school friend, for a few years and they continued to be lifelong friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ken and Inez McDonald; two brothers, Ward LeRoy McDonald and Ralph George McDonald; and her first husband, Donald Ray Mitchell. She is survived by many loving family members who call her beloved, including 4 children, 3 step-children, 14 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren.

A viewing will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2024 from 9:45-10:45 AM at Anderson and Sons Mortuary Lone Peak, 6141 West 11000 North, Highland, Utah 84003. The funeral services will begin following the viewing at 11:00 AM.

The family wishes to thank all the people who have loved and served Ruth.

Special thanks to Solstice and Canyons Home Health and Hospice teams.