Ruth Clark Hafen, 86, of Orem, Utah, died Saturday, October 28, 1995, in Provo of causes incident to age. She died on a clear and colorful autumn Homecoming Day for BYU alumni. From her hospital room, one could see the BYU campus and the neighborhood where she grew up.
Ruth was born January 6, 1909, in Panguitch, Utah, the first of six daughters, to Joseph C. and Claire Clark. Her family later moved to Provo. She was a graduate of BY High and BYU, where she loved her involvement with speech, drama, music, French, and the Val Norn social unit. She then taught school at Nephi High.On August 17, 1932, Ruth married Orval Hafen of St. George, where they lived until his death in 1964. She taught French at Dixie College for the next twenty years, then moved to Orem where she lived from 1985 until the time of her death. Ruth was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving, among other callings, as ward, stake, and regional MIA drama director. She was also a lifelong student and teacher of literary and cultural arts, having helped to establish the Alice Louise Reynolds Club and the Dixie Reviewers Club in St. George. The Heritage Arts Foundation recently memorialized the dedication she and her husband gave to the arts, the Church, and the St. George community by naming a theatre at Tuachan for Orval and Ruth Clark Hafen.
Ruth lived an abundant, productive life. She and Orval enjoyed a lifelong romance with each other that may now be resumed after a separation that seemed much too long and sometimes lonely for her. She loved good books and beautiful flowers. She was curious, thoughtful, and full of spiritual, intellectual, and aesthetic character. Her outlook and manner reflected a gracious eloquence that blended naturally with her deeply rooted love for God, His creations, her family members, and her many cherished friends.
She is survived by four children: Bruce (married to Marie Kartchner and living in Orem), Ruth Ann (married to Phillip Smith and living in Hawaii), Margaret (married to Nolan Archibald and living in Washington, D.C.), and Michele (married to Jeff Sampson and living in Madison, Wisconsin); a sister, Marjorie (Mrs. John Y.) Merrell of Arlington, Va.; 23 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, two sons, Joseph ("Jan") and Jon Michael, and by four of her five sisters.
Funeral services will be held Monday, October 30, at 9 a.m. in the Hillcrest Chapel at 400 East 800 South in Orem, with another service on Monday, October 30, at 5 p.m. in the Red Hills Chapel at 200 West 500 North in St. George. Friends may call Sunday from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Walker-Sanderson Mortuary, 646 East 800 North, Orem, and following the funeral service in the St. George Red Hills Chapel.
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