Ruth Orem

Ruth A. Orem passed away (with her husband by her side) on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, from ALS. Ruth was born to George and Alma Johnson on June 12, 1952, in Reserve, Montana. In 1961, the family moved to Glasgow, Montana, where Ruth graduated from high school in 1970. After graduation, she attended Kinman Business University in Spokane. Her long career in administration began with brokerage firms in Spokane and Missoula, then the welfare department in Helena, the Federal Aviation Administration in Great Falls and Denver, and finally the Internal Revenue Service in Denver, Colorado. Ruth’s successful career with the IRS involved several promotions and she retired as a facilities manager in 2007.

After several years in Denver, Ruth met and married Larry Orem on May 4, 1985. Larry inspired Ruth to start playing golf which became her passion. Ruth and Larry took a golf vacation every winter to Phoenix, and she was never kept off the course by triple-digit temperatures. She played in leagues and tournaments, and made many long-time friends through the sport. When Ruth and Larry moved to Corta Bella in 2007, she loved being able to play golf year-round and she tried to live by the motto, “Have fun and do your best,” but was known to be competitive and her own worst critic. After her illness forced her to quit, she continued to have lunch with her golf friends every Saturday until two weeks before her death.

Larry died in 2008 and Ruth began the next phase of her life as a widow. During that time, she and their other aunt Gaynell Bruck took great-nieces Kaitlin and Hanna on a trip every year to destinations around the US, usually involving a major league baseball game at the girls’ request. Ruth also traveled to golf resorts, took a river cruise in Europe, and toured New England in fall 2023. She especially enjoyed her once or twice a year visits to family in Montana, spending many Christmas holidays visiting, playing cards, and savoring Scandinavian cookies.

After kissing a few frogs, she was blessed in 2018 to meet Neil Mingo who was by her side from that time on. Their love and devotion to each other was truly inspiring. On March 16, 2024, they formalized their commitment to each other by getting married. Neil also brought his daughter Ashleigh into Ruth’s life, giving Ruth much joy and companionship.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents George and Alma Johnson; first husband Larry Orem, his parents, and brother-in-law Bob Quinn; nephew Kent Johnson; brother-in-law Ray Mills; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins, especially uncle Gerhard Nelson.

Ruth is survived by her loving husband Neil, his daughter Ashleigh Mingo, brothers Don (Vicky Ewing) of Portland, OR, and Gary (Marilynn) of Wolf Point, MT, sister Kay of Helena, MT, sister of the heart Gaynell Bruck of Helena, MT, niece Janna Kroll (Dan) of Helena, MT, nephew James Johnson (Michelle) of Fort Peck, MT, great-nieces Kaitlin Kroll of Rapid City, SD, Hanna Kroll of Bozeman, MT, Kaylee Johnson of Fort Peck, MT, and great-nephew Aaron Johnson of Fort Peck, MT. Additional survivors include nephews Michael Quinn (Eric Clark) of Las Vegas, NV, and Shawn Quinn (Jess and children) of Austin, TX, niece Kelly (Quinn) Kelley (Ryan and children) of Lady Lake, FL, as well as Larry’s siblings and their descendants, and many dear friends.

A viewing is scheduled for Monday, April 28, from 6:00 p.m to 8:00 p.m. at Sunland Memorial Park and Mortuary, 15826 Del Webb Blvd., Sun City. Services for Ruth will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29, at the American Lutheran Church, 17200 N. Del Webb Blvd., Sun City. A reception will follow at the Corte Bella Golf Grille at 3:00 p.m.

Donations to the charity of your choice will be appreciated.