Ruth Elizabeth Hinmon Clawson

Ruth Elizabeth Hinmon Clawson passed away peacefully on December 6, 2023, at the age of 77 after a valiant, five-year battle with pancreatic cancer. She loved her team at the Huntsman Cancer Institute and Classical Ways Acupuncture, where she rightfully earned the nickname “Warrior Ruth.” Her optimism and faith in the face of adversity created a legacy that will live on forever in the hearts of all who knew her.

Ruth was born on March 3, 1946, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Thomas Porter Hinmon and Hannah Lucile Egelund. She was the oldest of five children and took great care of her three younger brothers and one sister. After graduating from Highland High School in 1964, she attended Utah State University, where she earned a degree in Education. It was there she met her lifelong love and husband of 53 years, Frank Wessman Clawson. 

Together they made their dreams come true as they raised four daughters and served throughout the world in the Air Force. Ruth loved to travel, especially throughout Europe. She also loved the opportunity to reinvent herself every time she moved somewhere new. 

Ruth managed to make being an Air Force officer’s wife look easy. She was always capable, whether she was sewing Easter dresses for her daughters, starting a new business, making her home beautiful, serving in the Church, or cooking for her family every night. She loved shopping, reading, music, the ocean, and the color blue. Her greatest pride and joy was raising her four daughters to be strong women. She was their best cheerleader, shopping companion, and advocate. 

Always up for change and a challenge, Ruth flourished in many different careers. She was an elementary school teacher, a successful Realtor, an entrepreneur, and—her favorite—a life coach for Franklin Covey, where she inspired others to achieve their dreams. She embodied the values of optimism, hard work, resilience, and generosity.

Ruth knew and loved her Savior Jesus Christ and was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She believed that “each time you have an upset, it just gets you closer to Christ.” She loved the temple and spent many years as a temple ordinance worker in the Mount Timpanogos and Bountiful temples. In her later years, she devoted her sharp intellect and sensitivity to the Spirit to search the records of the Earth for her ancestors, finding the names of more than 10 ,000 family members. She felt great satisfaction in the work she could do for them so they could receive all of the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Ruth is survived by her husband Frank; her daughters Kristina Vegas Sharp, Julianne Donaldson, Jenny (Josh) Peel, and Audrey (Nick) Moore; her siblings Tom (Diana) Hinmon of Laguna Beach, CA; Jim (Lupita) Hinmon of Magna, UT; Dan (Sandy) Hinmon of Port Orchard, WA; and Anne (Bill) Ebert of Las Vegas, NV; her grandchildren Adah, David, Sarah, Jacob & Nathan Donaldson, Kai & Reese Peel, and Brynn & Sage Moore. She is preceded in death by her parents. 

We express gratitude to the doctors and nurses at Huntsman Cancer Institute and the staff at Legacy House Park Lane in Farmington as well as Inspiration Home Health and Hospice, who ensured the last days of Ruth’s life were as comfortable as possible.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at the North Salt Lake Stake Center, 900 Eaglepointe Drive, North Salt Lake, Utah. An evening viewing will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Monday, December 11, 2023, at Russon Mortuary, 295 N. Main St, Bountiful, Utah. Another viewing will take place Tuesday from 9:30-10:45 a.m. at the church prior to services. Interment to take place at 1:00 p.m., Monday, December 18, 2023, at the Utah Veterans Cemetery and Memorial Park, 17111 South Camp Williams Road, Bluffdale, Utah.  

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Brothers Mortuary Facebook page and on this obituary page.  The live stream will begin about 10-15 minutes prior to the service and will be posted below.