Ruth Eileen Maywald Schneider died on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2003, in the Holy Rosary Extended Care Unit in Miles City, Mont.

Ruth was the youngest of seven children of Hattie and Ernest Maywald, and was born on July 13,1914, in Kellogg, Iowa. Ruth’s parents and siblings moved to Minnesota in 1918, and she attended elementary school in Hartland. Ruth moved with her parents and siblings to southeastern Montana in the spring of 1928.

Ruth graduated with the Baker High School graduating class of 1931 even though she was only 16 years old. Ruth displayed an artistic temperament from an early age, and she enjoyed participating in drama and writing poetry while in high school.

Ruth lived most of her adult life in Baker and Miles City, Mont. She enjoyed being the free spirit in the open spaces of the plains and prairies of southeastern Montana, and she especially loved the beautiful Medicine Rocks area located in the Ekalaka area southeast of Baker. Ruth was a care giver for her mother and brother when Ruth’s father died unexpectedly on their ranch near Willard, located between Baker and Ekalaka, Mont., in the fall of 1932.

After graduation Ruth trained as a secretary and worked for the Government Relief Office in Baker. During World War II, Ruth’s patriotism took hold and she joined the WAVES in January of 1944, and was stationed in Washington, D.C. After returning from the WAVES, Ruth married Elmer Schneider on Nov. 14, 1945, and was a partner in the Schneider Studio photography business in Miles City. Ruth and Elmer lived in Miles City for most of their lives, and their marriage lasted 48 years, until Elmer died Jan. 1, 1993.

Ruth is survived by a stepdaughter, Audelle Estes and her family; and six nieces and nephews: Robert Cress of Roswell, N.M., Barbara Luther of Littleton, Colo., Richard Maywald of Bellevue, Wash., Helen Warren of Vista, Calif., Patricia Bartholomew of Dakota Dunes, S.D., and Laurel Armstrong of Hartland.

Ruth will be missed by her family and by the many wonderful friends she has made in Miles City.

A memorial service will be held for Ruth in the spring, on Saturday, May 1, 2004. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements.