Ruth Hoyt

                Retired Choteau businesswoman and homemaker, Ruth Louise (Pound) Hoyt, 91, died on Sept. 16, 2020, at her home in Choteau of natural causes.

                Ruth was born on June 26, 1929, in Kalispell to J.B. and Alice (Root) Pound. She grew up in Kalispell, working for her mom at her café and at her dad’s service station on opposite corners of the block.

                She met Bill Hoyt, the love of her life, and on Nov. 16, 1946, they eloped to Polson. While Bill worked, Ruth tended to their family. She was an awesome cook and homemaker.

                In 1959, Bill and Ruth moved to Choteau, where they ran the Choteau Lockers grocery store in the building that houses Black Sheep Sports today. In 1964 they built their dream business, Triangle Packing Inc., just west of Choteau.

                Ruth worked alongside of Bill at Triangle Packing for many years, all the while also cooking, cleaning and taking care of their children.

                After they semi-retired, they spent several winters in Arizona. Ruth took up woodworking and made wood projects for her family and friends. Many of her works decorated the yard of their home in Choteau, and the lovely wooden Nativity set that graces the courthouse lawn during the Christmas season is one of her woodworking creations.

                “Grandma Ruthie,” as her 15 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren lovingly referred to her, was an awesome cinnamon roll maker and leaves her many recipe boxes to her family. She had a very large collection of salt and pepper shakers — more than 500 pairs — and she enjoyed collecting them on her travels and as many gifts from her family.

                Ruthie is survived by her son, John (Chris) Hoyt of Choteau; her daughters, Patsy (Joe) Tate of Nampa, Idaho, Linda Spinder and Sharon Hoyt, both of Choteau, Janet Barner of West Richland, Washington, and Char (Mike) Bradshaw of Drummond; 15 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren.

                She was preceded in death by her husband; her brother, Budd Pound; her grandson, Aaron Hoyt; and sons-in-law Gerry Hunt and Russell Barner.

                Memorials are suggested to the Choteau Senior Citizens Center, P.O. Box 1103, Choteau, MT 59422. Condolences to the family may be posted online at www.gorderjensenfuneralhome.com.

                Per her wishes, cremation has taken place under the direction of Gorder-Jensen Funeral Home, and no service is planned at this time because of the COVID-19 pandemic.