Edward Ervin Ruthardt, 92, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, passed away on July 1, 2018. His parents were "EC" Ervin and Ruth Nolan Ruthardt. Place of birth was in the home of his Aunt Mary and Uncle Art Stoltenberg, in the Chicago suburb of Downers Grove, IL on July 1, 1926. Two brothers, Kenneth and Richard followed. A sister, La Vern died in infancy.

Early years were idyllic; shade tree-lined streets with neighbors watching over everyone's children. The entire family took care of three very large gardens. Crops of vegetables and flowers were harvested each morning, put in a cart and wagon and sold to families in the area. One object of the farming was to use the proceeds to purchase three Schwinn balloon-tired bicycles.

The depression was a cruel experience even for young people. As waves of unemployment went through the area you could see dads home during the day or working on the government relief WPA make-work projects.  In high school, class of 1944, Ed was voted class Treasure. Future wife Edith Alice Taylor was class secretary. They were married after Ed served two years in the U.S Navy submarine service. His tour of duty was on the SS Ling (SS 297). The submarine was assigned the role of training submarine crews. Post war employment included marketing for a number of companies in a variety of industries, each position building on past experiences.

Early in married life, teaming up with brothers Kenneth and Richard, Ed built four homes, working nights and weekends. The background of employment in farm equipment, buildings, and real estate came into use when the farm problem developed in the Midwest. Ed created a system writing contracts between lenders who acquired farms by foreclosure and farmers who managed the lands until they could be sold.

Ed enjoyed 22 years of retirement, many music recitals, family reunions, Boundary Waters Canoe Area fishing trips with Dave and Wisconsin farm friends, recumbent bike tours, and watching six little girls are following Mom in music.

Ed and Edith celebrated 71 years of marriage. Ed was proceeded in death by his wife Edith.

He is survived by daughter, Christine (Earl) Siems of Palm Springs, California; son, David (Valerie) of Star Valley Ranch, WY; granddaughter, Nina (JR) of Thayne, WY; grandson, Morgan (Keren) of Billings, MT; and great-granddaughters: Katherine, Adeline, Sheralyne, Hannah, Melanie, and Lydia all of Thayne, WY.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, July 14, 2018 at Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First Street, Idaho Falls. The family will receive friends one hour prior to services at the mortuary. Burial will be at Fielding Memorial Park Cemetery, with military rites performed by the Bonneville County Veterans and the Military Honor Guard. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.coltrinmortuary.com.