Ruby Olson Haight, loving, gracious and devoted wife to the late Elder David B. Haight of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, passed away Sunday, December 5, 2004, of causes incident to age.
Born in Fairview, Utah, on April 28, 1910, Sister Haight was 94 years of age. Sister Haight was the youngest of 11 children born to Peter and Christena Maria Larsen Olson. All have preceded her in death. Her graciousness to everyone, combined with a sweet spirit of kindness and love, left a lasting impression on all who knew her. Elder and Sister Haight provided an exemplary marriage during their almost 74 years together. It could be characterized as one of those old-fashioned romances where there was a twinkle in each other's eyes and a holding of hands on every occasion where they were together. Their lengthy marriage represented a historical record for any apostle during this dispensation.
One could not be around Sister Haight without being uplifted and feeling a spirit of the Savior in her presence. Sister Haight and her dear husband, David, lived a rather remarkable and exciting life.
Her father died when she was one, and at age eight the family moved from Fairview, Utah to Salt Lake City. She was a classmate at LDS High School with Gordon B. Hinckley , who later became President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Elder Haight met his future wife at a school dance while she was attending the University of Utah. The courtship proved to be a bit of a challenge for Elder Haight, since other young men were also seeking her hand. But David persevered, and their life together became legendary. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on September 4, 1930, and honeymooned at Lake Tahoe shortly thereafter. It was during this trip in their new 1929 Model A Ford where Elder Haight often commented on speeding across the desert at 100 miles an hour --- 30 miles straight ahead and 70 miles an hour up and down.
The Haights lived in Utah and Illinois before settling in Palo Alto, California, where Sister Haight assisted her husband in the hardware business. He served concurrently as Mayor of the City, as well as Palo Alto Stake President. Later they moved to Utah when Elder Haight was called to be an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve in 1970 and as an Apostle in 1976.
Sister Haight was always at her husband's side but nevertheless was a powerful influence for good to not only her three children, but her 18 grandchildren and 78 great-grandchildren. They all adored her.
She served in many ward and stake callings, including membership on the Primary General Board.
Sister Haight is survived by her two sons: David Bruce, Jr. (Angela) and Robert Peter (Dorothy), one daughter, Karen Christena Huntsman (Jon).
Funeral services will be held Thursday, Dec. 9, at 1:00 p.m. at the Salt Lake Monument Park Stake Center, 1320 Wasatch Dr, Salt Lake City, Utah. There will be no viewing before the services. Interment will take place immediately thereafter at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, beside her beloved David. Arrangements are under the direction of Larkin Mortuary, 260 E. South Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah.