Ruth Graham Muschik

SALT LAKE CITY - Our mother, Ruth Graham Finch Muschik, age 89, passed away November 11, 2026, in Kearns, Utah, of Alzheimer's disease. She was born at home on October 23, 1937, in Sacramento, California, to Christopher Richard and Madeline Evelyn Meiss Graham.

When Ruth entered grade school, she didn't speak. She had six older brothers who anticipated her needs, so she never had reason to speak. Ruth was a longtime resident of Rose Park in SLC and a proud graduate of Sacramento High School in California. She received her birth certificate later in life because she was home birthed. Her brothers vouched for her as there was no official record.

On August 2, 1953, she married William Haynes Finch in Carson City, Nevada, had three children, and later divorced. Ruthie and Bill eloped while she was still in school; they then came home and didn't tell anybody, living with their parents as normal. Just as her daddy found out, and was taking steps to have the marriage annulled, they announced they were going to be parents. Once their children were adults, they divorced. He passed July 3, 2025. On April 3, 1976, she married Frank "Franz" Muschik in Elko, Nevada; he brought two daughters to the relationship; he died April 8, 2006. He was the love of her life, and they were the center of many happy family gatherings at their home in Rose Park, a Salt Lake City neighborhood.

Mom loved watching the Utah Jazz, and she raised many schnauzers from puppyhood (and a few cats). Cooking for others was her love language and she was very social. At one time, she was a "Pink Lady" at a local hospital. She previously worked at Salt Lake Hardware Company and in catering at the Salt Lake International Airport.

On February 18, 1993, the Utah Chapter of the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge honored Ruth Muschik with the "We Believe in Heroes" award, for saving the life of 3-year-old Heath Nakai in April 1992. Margrena and Heath Nakai were walking together along the bank of the Jordan River, near their home in Rose Park. Heath fell in the river and Margrena tried to pull him from the water. Muschik responded to Margrena's call for help and pulled the two children from the water, despite painful arthritis.

Survived by her children, Kathleen Gail (Dan) Blackburn, Ocean Beach, Oregon; Michael Eugene (Leisa) Finch, West Valley City, Utah; Lenora Helene Muschik Skog, Sun City West, Arizona; William Hunter (Nori Huntsman) Finch, West Valley City, Utah; and Regina Marie Muschik (Shayne) Hobbs, Stansbury Park, Utah; and beloved grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and honorary grandchildren. Also survived by some sisters-in-law and many nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by her husbands; her parents; brothers, Richard William, Ralph Eugene, Raymond Christopher, Earl Leroy, Albert Austin. and Lawrence Graham; and infant sister, Evelyn Madelene Graham.

Many thanks to Spring Gardens Oquirrh Mountain Senior Living memory care staff and residents for treating her like family, and to Sequoia Hospice Care for their compassionate attention in her final days.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate her life at McDougal Gathering Hall, 4306 S Redwood Rd. Taylorsville, Utah (Next door to McDougal Funeral Home) on Saturday, December 5, 2026, from noon to 3 PM. A light meal will be served.

Ruth will be interred at City View Cemetery, 1001 E 11th Ave, Salt Lake City, Utah next to her husband.

Remembrances in Ruth's name can be made to the Alzheimer's Association , Humane Society of Murray, Utah or to the "Pink Ladies" program at your local hospital.