Ruth Elizabeth Brown, 79

Ruth Elizabeth Brown, 79, of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, was a remarkable woman of unwavering faith who devoted her life to loving and serving others. As her health declined in recent weeks, Ruth assured her family, “I would be thrilled to go be with Jesus.” On Oct. 13, 2026, Ruth slipped away peacefully in her sleep and into the loving arms of her Savior while at Kootenai Health.

Born Feb. 11, 1947, in Woodbury, N.J., to Claude and Pearl (Montgomery) Grant, Ruth was the eldest of their three children and a natural leader who stepped into the role of caretaker even at a young age. Her childhood included frequent moves and family hardships that helped shape her compassion, resilience, and ability to extend grace to others.

In 1968, she married her high school sweetheart, David Brown, in Phoenix, Ore., the boy who had once been assigned to carry her schoolbooks while she was on crutches. Together, they raised three children and eventually settled in Coeur d'Alene in 1980.

An outstanding teacher, Bible-study leader, and mentor, Ruth shared the love of Christ through both her words and her actions. She spent many years inspiring students at North Idaho Christian School, and her teaching and ministry extended far beyond the classroom walls. Her home was a refuge for those seeking guidance, a warm meal, or even a place to stay. With a beautiful balance of truth, grace, and compassion, Ruth had a gift for seeing beyond people's circumstances and recognizing the God-given worth of every individual.

The coziest of all apron-wearing, cinnamon-roll-baking grandmothers, Ruth had an extraordinary way of making each of her grandchildren feel uniquely loved and deeply cherished. Whether spending afternoons in her kitchen, making quilts, or enjoying outings at Hands to Art, Grandma Ruth delighted in the simple joy of spending time together.

Ruth's love and influence live on through the countless lives she touched, including David (Coeur d’Alene), her husband of 58 years; their three children, Kristen Brown with husband Todd Dennis ( Portland, Ore.), Allison Young with husband Shane (Coeur d’Alene), and Josh Brown with wife Gina (Coeur d’Alene); grandchildren Elliot, Matyson, Emilia, Lexi, Ella, Scout, and Sailor; and siblings Margaret and Pat Poole (Coeur d’Alene), Joe and Kim Grant (Kaiser, Ore.), and Terri and Vance Allen (Hayden, Idaho).

Please join the family for a memorial service Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026, at 1 p.m. at Anthem Hayden Church, 251 W. Miles Ave., Hayden, ID 83835. Please consider, in lieu of flowers, making a donation in Ruth’s name to The Samaritan’s Purse or Operation Blessing.