Anna Ruth McNeal Aagard

Sept. 8, 1931 - May 8, 2015

Anna Ruth McNeal Aagard, 83, of Burlington, died May 8, 2015, surrounded by her family and loved ones. She was born in Basin on Sept. 8, 1931. She was one of 11 children.

She is survived by her husband of nearly 70 years, Shirley Aagard, her sisters Sally (Joe) Sublett, Viki Dieckman and Mary Jane McNeal, her brother David McNeal and her children Angela (Harold) Roth, Olaf (Susie) Aagard, Sherilee (Harvey) Runyan, Mary Ann Hickman, Janet (Paul) Axtell, Nancy Everson, Pauline (Wayne) Parker, Peter (Tami) Aagard and Virginia (Jon) Wilson.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Amos and Grace McNeal, daughter Linda Link, brothers Bob Colley, Dick Colley, Pat McNeal, James McNeal and Denny McNeal, sister Frances Martin, grandsons David Hickman, Travis Aagard and Ty Aagard and granddaughter Shantel Everson, along with a number of relatives and close friends.

Ruth was a dedicated school bus driver for 25 years in Burlington. She enjoyed many things during her long life. She especially enjoyed crocheting. Many people own a piece of her beautiful craftsmanship. It is completely impossible to know how many blankets, tablecloths, doilies and doo-dads she crocheted in her lifetime.

Many know her as the “Christmas in July grandma.” The treasures that everyone went away with were always priceless. Some of her favorite things included milkshakes, gardening, canning and movies. She was a Dominos master, a frequent Bingo winner and an avid junk collector. She had a wonderful smile that could light up a room. She was a proud grandmother of 46, a great-grandmother to 72 and great-great-grandmother to three. She had the most generous, loving heart and touched many lives with her presence.

Funeral services were held at the Burlington LDS Church Tuesday, May 12. She was buried in the Burlington Cemetery.

Haskell Funeral Home in Lovell has been entrusted with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent in her name to New Horizons Care Center, 1115 Lane 12, Lovell, WY 82431, where her husband and many friends still reside.