Mary Ruth “Ruthie” Desjarlait passed away on
April 27, 2020 in Oklahoma City surrounded by
her loving family. She was born to John Henry
Desjarlait and Mary Rose (Kent) Lieb on July 3,
1961 in Pawnee, Oklahoma. She was the first
born to this growing family of what would be a
houseful of eleven children.
Ruthie was hard working and found great reward
in her career with the Otoe-Missouria Tribe.
She started out cooking for the seniors of the
tribe, making sure everyone was well taken care
of. She then transitioned to be the Higher
Education Assistant, making sure that the
generations to follow received all the help they
needed to better themselves and the future of
the tribe.
She was thrifty and wise, taking advantage of
garage sales, thrift stores and the like. She
was always there to help anyone in need in any
manner she could. She had a caring and
considerate demeanor that she shared with
everyone around her. Ruthie could always be
counted on to check in on her friends just to
make sure they were doing ok and everything was
alright. She always wore a smile on her face,
lighting up the rooms she entered. Ruthie
enjoyed music, specially Motown. Her favorite
thing of all was her grandbabies; Cieana and
Shaylene Courtney.
Ruthie is survived by her children; Christy
Blackburn and Alynn Chavez, granddaughters;
Cieana and Shaylene Courtney, siblings; John
Desjarlait and wife Emmaline Green, Hollis Lieb,
Garner Lieb, Alwood “Chub” Lieb, Mary “Kue”
Lieb, Ann Lieb and Rose Lieb, along with many
nieces, nephews and extended family.
She is preceded in death by her parents; John
Henry Desjarlait and Mary Rose Lieb, brothers;
Patrick Desjarlait, Royce Lieb and Frank
McIntosh and her grandmother; Agnes Pipestem.
Her family and friends will have a time to pay
their respects at Grace Memorial Chapel on
Thursday, April 30th, from 11am to 1pm. Her
Graveside Services will follow at the
Otoe-Missouria Tribal Cemetery in Red Rock at
2pm with Ted Grant presiding.
Pallbearers will be Hollis Lieb, Garner Lieb,
Patrick and Luciano Desjarlait, Shawn Littlecrow,
Amos Littlecrow, Willie Kirn and Rock Pipestem,
. Honorary Pallbearers include Renae Martinez,
Carol Bible, Betty Vanhouser, Carol Plumbly,
Georgia Burgess, Kim Burgess, Pauline Salsa,
Miffy Faw Faw, Debbie Murray, Ressa Shotton,
Betty Littlecrow, Teresa Hinman, Berdina Tohee
and Tish Atkins.
