Ruth Schaefermeyer Abplanalp (89) died on Feb. 16, 2010 from a short illness. She was born May 7, 1920 in Vernal, Utah to William LaPrelett Schaefermeyer and Edna Leona Neal. She was their last child and had four older brothers and three older sisters that welcomed her to the family. She grew up in Maeser and spent most of her life in Vernal with a few years in California and Alaska. She married Edward Harold Abplanalp on Sept. 25, 1937 in Vernal. She loved him with all her heart and looked forward to returning to be with him. They were blessed with five children and eventually 29 grandchildren, 95 great-grandchildren and three more arriving soon. She recently learned of her first great-great grandson arriving this spring. Ruth and Harold were later sealed with all their family in the Salt Lake Temple. Her family was her greatest delight and she was interested in all of their activities and kept all of us informed of their many accomplishments. She sent every child, grandchild, and great-grandchild a birthday card every year; this was quite an undertaking as she currently has 134 descendents. Mother's favorite church calling was as a young woman leader in the M.I.A. she spent many years serving them and many of these young women have expressed their love for her and appreciation for the influence and example that she was in their lives. She served in all of the Church auxiliaries and was a faithful visiting teacher all of her life; she just recently resigned from her last calling in the Ashley Second Ward. She served as the Uintah Arts Council Historian for 17 years and finished the final scrapbook last week. She worked for Uintah School District as a cook for 20 plus years and enjoyed being around the young people. She was proud of her service to her country while working for Rohr Aircraft Company during World War II. Ruth was an "elect lady"! She suffered with rheumatoid arthritis pain from the time she was a young woman, but this never stopped her from supporting her family in their many activities. She set a righteous example for her family through many difficult times because they were the most important part of her life. We love her and will miss her, but she is now enjoying her time with Daddy and we look forward to being with them another day. She is survived by her son, Frank (Connie) Abplanalp of Mountain Green, Utah; Dian (Byron) Merrell of Vernal, Utah, Clara Jean (Merv) Weeks of Paradise, Utah, Mary Ann (Stan) Padigimus of Anchorage, Alaska, Brenda (Dave) Cook of Vernal, Utah. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, seven brothers and sisters and two great-grandchildren. Interment in Maeser Fairview Cemetery under the direction of the Blackburn Vernal Mortuary. -Vernal Express, February 24, 2010