Noel Keith Ruhter

Noel Keith Ruhter passed away and was taken into the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on January 31, 2026. He was surrounded by his family as he passed at St. Luke’s Magic Valley Medical Center in Twin Falls.

Noel was born in Twin Falls, ID to Marvin and Sylvia DeWitt Ruhter. Noel was baptized February 21, 1943, and confirmed in his faith in May 1957. His faith in Jesus Christ, his Savior, was especially important to him and sustained him through his life. His faith was exemplified by his countless friendships and active, life-long membership in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

In early life, he attended elementary and middle school in Filer and graduated from Filer High School in 1961. He was a strong athlete and was a member of the football, basketball, and track teams while at Filer High School.

After high school, Noel attended Boise Junior College from 1961-63 and was a defensive end for the football team during that time. He received his Associate of Science degree from Boise Junior College in 1963 and transferred to Idaho State University (ISU). While at ISU, he joined the Army Reserves in 1964 and served until 1970. He earned his Bachelor of Science at ISU in 1968 and then began his teaching career at Rupert, Idaho. He took a brief sabbatical from teaching in 1974-75 and earned his Master of Science in Education at Western Montana College. He earned certifications in Idaho for K-12 Library Media and Specialist K-12 Counselor, working on vocational counseling.

During his time at ISU, Noel met the love of his life, Sharon Judd, who was also attending ISU. They were married on December 23, 1967, in Havre, MT. They have four children, Derek (Kathy Farrow) of Bellevue, ID; Lance (Katie Witman) of Phoenix, AZ; Lon (Marie) of Omaha, NE; and Rochelle (Tracy) Ahrens of Jerome, ID. They have also been blessed by fifteen grandchildren, which Noel and Sharon enjoyed watching grow into the young men and women they are today.

Derek’s family – Teague (Mariah), Madelynn, Emily, Michael, Sam, and Nathan Farrow and Macey Farrow Schaeffer

Lance’s family – Jake and Gabrielle

Lon and Marie’s family – Austin, Avery, and Alaina

Rochelle and Tracy’s family – Leif, Noah, and Jonas

Noel taught in Idaho schools his entire career. He enjoyed working with students as a teacher and student-athletes as a coach in football, basketball, and track. His career took him to Rupert, Shoshone, Filer, Jerome, Meridian, Salmon River (Riggins), Castleford, Bliss, and Richfield.

Noel had fond memories of the farm from childhood, and his dream was to farm and raise Angus cattle. He accomplished that dream when he, Sharon and the family returned to Jerome and moved onto a farm north of Jerome in 1980. Noel and Sharon raised cattle for 30 years until 2010.

Noel was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Allan; his sister, Pam and her husband Tom Steele; and by Sonny McGregor, his sister Sharon’s husband.

Noel is survived by his wife, Sharon Ruhter; his sister, Sharon McGregor; his sister, Diane Olsen and her husband, Jim Olsen; his sister, Marilyn Plott and her husband, Larry Plott; his brother, Terry Ruhter and his wife, Chiu Mei; and his brother, James Ruhter and his wife, Carol Ruhter.

A viewing will be held from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm, Friday, February 13, 2026 at Farmer Funeral Chapel, 130 9th Ave N, Buhl.  A graveside service will be held at Clover Lutheran Cemetery on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 11:30 a.m. which will be followed by a funeral service at Clover Trinity Lutheran Church at 1:00 PM. All friends and family are invited to attend the reception which will follow the service.

Please make any memorial donations to Peace Lutheran Church in Filer, ID.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Noel’s memorial webpage at www.farmerfuneralchapel.com.