Ruthe I. Pesut

Ruthe Iverson Pesut, beloved mother, grandmother, teacher, and friend, passed away peacefully on November 16, 2024, at the age of 89. Born on January 29, 1935, in Weiser, Idaho, Ruthe moved to Boise at the age of seven, where she built a life rooted in love, learning, and resilience. Ruthe attended North Junior High, Boise High School, Boise State University, and San Jose State University setting the foundation for her lifelong passion for education. Her teaching career spanned decades and communities, beginning in Ely, Nevada, and continuing in Washington, D.C., and Chicago, before she and her husband, George Pesut, settled in San Jose, California. For over 35 years, Ruthe inspired young minds as a first-grade teacher in the Saratoga Unified School District. She was the kind of teacher every parent hoped for—resourceful, creative, and endlessly dedicated. Her students adored her, and her impact on their lives remains her enduring legacy. Ruthe married the love of her life, George Pesut, in Boise in 1958. Their marriage was a partnership of love and adventure, spanning 42 years until George's passing in 2000. Together, they raised their family in San Jose, where Ruthe’s heart was centered on supporting her daughters, Michelle Otterness (Scott) and Sheila Vince (Nate), and her cherished grandchildren: Chelsea, Rachel, and Claire Otterness, and Nicole, Nathan, and Sarah Vince. A proud matriarch, Ruthe was deeply involved in her family’s lives, cheering from the sidelines at football games, celebrating the Croatian heritage, and nurturing her grandchildren’s love of learning. Using her teacher's touch, she taught her grandchildren how to read and think critically, enriching their lives in countless ways. Ruthe’s zest for life was contagious. She loved to travel the world, dance, and bring joy to those around her with her sweet and sassy personality. She especially enjoyed her beloved Capitola Beach and shared this experience with her family. Known for her kindness, generosity, and selfless humor, she had a remarkable ability to make people feel loved and appreciated. Fiercely independent and unwavering in her values, Ruthe carried herself with grace and integrity to the very end. Ruthe will be remembered as a loving mother and grandmother, a devoted teacher, and a beacon of wisdom and support for her family. She will be deeply missed by her daughters and their families, her nieces and nephews, as well as the countless students and friends whose lives she touched. 

 A memorial vigil and viewing will be held at Alden Waggoner Funeral Chapel (5400 Fairview Avenue, Boise, ID) on Friday, November 22, 2024 at 6pm. 

 The Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church (2612 West State Street, Boise, ID) on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at 2pm with a reception immediately following at the Riverside Hotel (2900 W. Chinden Blvd., Garden City, ID). 

The family invites donations in her memory to the George Pesut Scholarship Fund at the College of Idaho or the Alzheimer Foundation or flowers can be sent to Alden Waggoner. 

Ruthe Iverson Pesut’s legacy lives on in the hearts of those she loved and inspired.