Ruth Johnstun Pope's Obituary
Ruth Johnstun Pope passed away at her home in St. Helens on January 3, 2013. Ruth was born July 27, 1952 in St. Helens, Oregon, daughter of Owen Royal and Mary “Betty” Johnstun. She grew up in St. Helens and graduated from St. Helens High School. After attending Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho and BYU in Provo, Utah she served a mission in Spain for the LDS Church.
In 1981 she married David Pope; they lived in St. Helens, Ogden, Utah and Richfield, Utah and had six children. They later divorced, after which Ruth lived in Rexburg until moving to St. Helens to receive medical treatment in 2009.
Ruth was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and daughter. She served faithfully in the LDS Church all her life. She loved to learn, enjoying courses in drafting and landscaping. During her illness she devoted much of her time to researching Johnstun family history. She was a proud grandmother who delighted in the recent visits of her five grandchildren.
Ruth is survived by her six children, Serah of St. Helens; Nathaniel (Shanna) of Richfield, Utah and their children Corinth, Mara and Kienna; Mary Kurtz (Riley) of Rexburg, Idaho and their children Madelynn and Daniel; Rachel of Annabella, Utah; Esther; and Timothy of St. Helens. She is also survived by her mother, Betty Johnstun and her sister Neva and brother Jesse of St. Helens, sister Janeal Carney of Boise, Idaho, brother Marion of Rexburg, Idaho and sister Laura Armstrong of Aloha. She also had many nieces and nephews. All of us will miss her kind and loving spirit, courage and cheerfulness.
Funeral services were held Saturday, January 5, 2013 at the LDS Church in St. Helens, Oregon.
What’s your fondest memory of Ruth?
What’s a lesson you learned from Ruth?
Share a story where Ruth's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Ruth you’ll never forget.
How did Ruth make you smile?

