Ruth Marie MaendlNovember 19, 1943 - October 21, 2015Ruth Marie Maendl, 71 of Nampa, passed away on Wednesday, October 21, 2015, at her home of natural causes. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, October 29th at Dakan Funeral Chapel, Caldwell. Condolences may be shared at www.dakanfuneralchapel.comRuth was born on November 19, 1943 in Holyoke, Colorado to Paul and Nellie (Groseclose) Maendl. The family lived in Chase County, Nebraska, until she turned 13, when they relocated to Yuma, Colorado in 1956. She moved to Idaho in 1977. Ruth graduated from high school in Yuma. She began her nursing education at Northwest Junior College in Sterling, Colorado and completed her RN at Presbyterian Hospital in Denver. Ruth earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois, and was a nursing instructor while at Olivet. After completing her Bachelor's degree, she headed to Williamson, West Virginia where she worked as a Nursing Instructor for Southern West Virginia Community College. Ruth completed her Master's degree in Nursing at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas and her certification as a Lactation Consultant around 10 years ago in Seattle. She worked as a Candy-Striper before she worked as a Nurses Aid, LPN and RN in various hospitals and nursing homes as she put herself through school. Ruth retired from Mercy Medical Center in Nampa, Idaho, after over 30 years helping to birth many, Many, MANY babies. During her busy nursing career, Mercy Medical Center granted Ruth a Leave of Absence so she could spend over 3 years serving as a Missionary Nurse at Dessalines Hospital in Dessalines, Haiti. At her retirement celebration, her peers remembered her as kind, sweet, knowledgeable, dedicated, and caring.Ruth carried a passion for art and many forms of creativity. She was a well-known painter of ceramic figurines. She loved crafting projects, including crocheting potholders, making afghans and quilting. She amassed an unrivaled collection of over 150 Holy Nativity scenes. She had a huge heart for others, always ready to quietly (and often secretly) help where needed. Ruth is survived by her three siblings, Rev. Arthur & Norma Maendl of Yoder, WY, and their children, Dr. Art & Cary Maendl, DVM, Andy Maendl, Anita (Maendl) & Randy Schanaman; Walter & Laree (Hill) Maendl of Caldwell, ID, and their children, Jeff & Michelle Maendl, Gene & Kama Maendl, and Sonia (Maendl) & Dain Johnson; and Rhoda (Maendl) & Richard Chesnut of Salt Lake City, UT, and their children, Brandi & Evan Maag, Shane & Robin Chesnut, and Luwanna Fulmer; 16 great-nieces and great-nephews, and many cousins. She was also 'Aunt Ruthie' to many in the Harold & Yvonne Hill family. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Nellie Maendl of Yuma, CO. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to "Missions," at Deer Flat Free Methodist Church, 17703 Beet Rd. Caldwell, ID 83607.