Ruby Haskin Sargent, 78, of Grangeville, passed away Monday, Aug. 26, 2024, following a courageous battle with cancer. Ruby was born in Boise on Dec. 8, 1945. She was the first of three children born to Garold and Ellen Haskin. The family moved to Grangeville in 1951 and lived on a farm 13 miles northeast of town.

She attended Grangeville schools via a daily bus ride. Many lifelong friends were met during this time Ruby was a member of Campfire Girls and Jobs Daughters. Ruby loved all the farm animals, except the feathered ones, and that love continued with many pets throughout her life. In 1976, she made a solo trip to northern Europe. She enjoyed traveling and did so whenever given the opportunity. She married early to start her own family with Robert B. Nida. The couple had two sons, Bryan William and Gregory Lee. They lived in Portland until a divorce ended the marriage and Ruby returned to Idaho. She attended Lewis-Clark State College’s two-year Office Occupations program, followed by employment with several areas attorneys. During this time, she met and briefly married David K. Newman. She went to work for American Insurance of Lewiston. During this time, she met her husband Frank, and they recently celebrated their 46th anniversary. She became a member of the National Insurance Women’s Association and worked in various different positions until her retirement. The couple moved to Grangeville in 1999 to help Ruby’s aging parents. Ruby worked for Northwest Insurance until her retirement. Ruby enjoyed many hobbies including stamp collecting, candle making, cross-stitch, painting and quilting. She also trained several dogs and earned several obedience titles with them.

Ruby was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by husband Frank, of Grangeville, and sons Bryan Nida, of Grangeville, and Greg Nida, of Boise. She is also survived by brothers Fred Haskin (Debbie), of Kingman, Ariz., and Gary Haskin (Robin), of Lewiston, and two grandchildren, Jen Nida and Cash Nida, both of Boise.

A celebration of life will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10, at the Grangeville Senior Citizens Center. A second celebration of life will be held in Boise at a later date followed by burial of ashes at Dry Creek Cemetery in Boise. Blackmer Funeral Home of Grangeville is in charge of arrangements. Send condolences to the family at blackmerfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers Ruby would prefer donations be made to the American Cancer Society or the Animal Rescue Foundation of Grangeville.