Mary Desjarlait

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.