Ruth Elvira Kanaris

Ruth Elvira Kanaris, age 88, died Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Brigham City, Utah, following a long decline in health. She was born in Orange, California to Homer Warner and Dorothea Halker. She spent her early years in many places, including Southwestern Nebraska- where her parents were from, Colorado Springs, Colorado and finally settled in Laramie, Wyoming where her mother opened the Mode O’ Day dress shop.

She graduated from Laramie High School in 1955. She worked at the Wyo Theater in Laramie where she met Louis Kanaris, a young serviceman stationed at F.E. Warren AFB in Cheyenne. They were married in 1956. Together they raised three children. While raising a young family, she worked with the Albany County School District. This allowed her to be home when her children were out of school. It was during this time that she learned to crochet and quilt while encouraging her children in 4-H and Job’s Daughters.

When the family moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming for her husband's work with the Wyoming National Guard in the late 70’s then she worked part time at the K-Mart Pharmacy and took MANY beloved history classes from LCCC. She joined the Serendipity Poets and contributed her art, as well as her poetry, to their annual publications for many years. When Lou retired from the Military, they traveled throughout the United States and Europe- always with a history book in hand.

Ruth nurtured in her children a desire for exploration and a profound love of reading and history. It is no wonder that she was everyone’s first pick for Trivial Pursuit games. She was a private person and even in her journal writing and poetry she left her audience pondering the nuance of her prose.

She enjoyed everything creative. She loved painting, writing, crocheting, quilting and even belly dancing. For several years she had her own needle-work business called, “Threads By Ruth” where she made custom embroideries for clients all over Southeastern Wyoming.

Above all, Ruth loved history- particularly American history. She knew everything about Gettysburg (her favorite), the American Revolutionary War, the Civil War and the 2 World Wars. Her daughter said, “mom’s best friend was a history book.”

She was unconventional for her generation and a maverick. She marched for women’s rights at age 79. She was generous to her friends, and befriended people from all walks of life.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Louis Robert Kanaris; her sister, Frankie Lou Nicholson; and her parents.

She is survived by her daughters, Vivian (Dennis) Tolman of Brigham City, Utah; Lois Mosley of Washington DC; and her son, Tom (MeKyung) Kanaris of Gainesville, GA; four grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

The family wishes to express gratitude to Beehive House Assisted Living of Perry, Utah, for mom’s exceptional care this last year.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to your favorite historical site.

Graveside memorial services will be held in late August 2025 at the Cheyenne National Cemetery in Cheyenne, Wyoming.