Ruth Lorraine Murdoch Schulz

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Ruth Lorraine Murdoch Schulz on February 6, 2025. She will forever be remembered for her resilience, work ethic, and kindness. 

Born in Idaho Falls, Idaho on May 7, 1945, to Brigham Dallas Murdoch and Winona Lee Murdoch, Ruth was the sixth of nine children. Her strong work ethic started at a young age, growing up on a ranch in Lima, Montana, and later at the family farm in Roberts, Idaho. At a very early age, she fell in love with driving tractors with her father. After her brothers left to serve their church missions, Ruth took on additional responsibilities on the family farm by mowing, raking, and hauling hay, planting and harvesting potatoes, and completing chores with her brother like cleaning the pig pens.

Ruth married the love of her life, Alan Edward Schulz, on June 13, 1968, in the Idaho Falls Temple. They were married for 53 years.

Inspired by her mother, whom she lost at an early age, Ruth enrolled in Rick’s College, and later at the University of Utah, where she earned her nursing degree. Following graduation, Ruth worked at the University of Utah Hospital. She later accepted a role at Salt Lake Community Nursing Services where she would treat patients at their homes.

In 1971, Ruth paused her nursing career and started the role she loved the most, being a mother. She and Alan had always wanted a large family. Together they had the pleasure of raising their daughter Rebecca, sons Nam Tran, Matthew and Mark, and foster children Elsie Begay, Vinh Pham, and John McDonald. They also sponsored numerous Vietnamese refugee families.

Ruth was a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, having been called to serve in many positions, including a service mission in Malaysia and later at the LDS Hospital. Ruth loved to stay busy and took pride in taking care of her family and tending to her garden and yard. She enjoyed reading and had a special interest in her family’s church history. Above all, Ruth loved to serve.

In her later years, Ruth was diagnosed with dementia. While she slowly lost many of her memories, her capacity to complete daily tasks, and her ability to recognize her loved ones, she took on a sense of humor that she never had before. A few things never changed though: her love for sweets and her desire to serve. As a resident of a memory care facility, Ruth was frequently found doing chores and assisting other patients. She didn’t recognize herself as a resident there, but rather a nurse. Dementia stole her mind, but she remained compassionate and caring until the end.

Ruth is survived by her children Rebecca Shann, Mark (Jessica) Schulz, Matthew (Jennifer) Schulz; grandson, Joey; foster children, Nam (Carisa) Tran, Vinh (Luminita) Pham, Elsie (Clarence) Begay, John (Vickie) MacDonald; nine foster grandchildren; siblings, Tom (Sharon) Murdoch, Ann Mateson, John (Marie) Murdoch, and LuAnn (Ross) Dodds. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alan Schulz; parents, Winona Lee Murdoch, Brigham Dallas Murdoch, Agnes Simonsen Murdoch; siblings Ronald Murdoch, Mary Lou Versey, Dallas Murdoch, and Helen Hall.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. in the Hunters Creek Meetinghouse, 905 Foxhunter Dr, Farmington, UT 84025. A viewing will be held prior to the funeral from 9:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Interment to follow at the Salt Lake City Cemetery. 

The funeral service will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary and Crematory Facebook page and on this obituary page, where it will appear 10-15 minutes prior to the start of the service. 

We would like to express our appreciation to the memory care staff at Creekside Senior Living. Special thanks to Lejla Young’s team for making Ruth comfortable in her final days. 

In lieu of flowers, please donate to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints missionary fund.