Ruthie Shinn

Ruth Ann “Ruthie” Shinn passed away on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at the age of 57.

She was born on August 12, 1968, in Anchorage, Alaska, to the late Raymond and Dorothy Shinn. The oldest of four children, Ruthie was raised in the rugged wilderness of Tazlina, where her lifelong love of nature first took root. She graduated from Glennallen High School.

Ruthie married Rocky Hayner Jr. and followed him to Rapid City, South Dakota, where he was stationed with the United States Air Force. There, she embraced life beyond her small-town upbringing and began exploring her musical talents more fully, playing keyboard and singing in a band.

After several moves between Alaska and South Dakota, she eventually returned to Rapid City, where she met Todd Warden. The two later relocated to Alaska. During this season of her life, Ruthie balanced motherhood with a period of personal growth and self-discovery. She and Todd married in 1998.

In 1997, Ruthie enrolled at the University of Alaska Anchorage and graduated in 2001 with an Associate of Arts degree. She went on to serve as a Park Ranger with the National Park Service at Wrangell–St. Elias National Park. Of all her professional pursuits, aside from music, this role remained especially meaningful to her. It allowed her to immerse herself in the landscapes she cherished and to share her knowledge and reverence for the natural world with others. Nature, second only to music, was her enduring sanctuary.

In 2012, Ruthie moved to Ogden, Utah, where she embraced the opportunity for renewal. She committed herself to recovery, yoga, hiking, and a return to music. Spiritual growth became central to her life. In 2017, she completed training as a Reiki Master Practitioner in the Usui System of Natural Healing. In 2022, she earned certification in Yoga Nidra. What began as a practice for physical healing evolved into a profound and sustaining passion.

In 2023, Ruthie became the owner of The Lotus Café, stepping fully into the roles of business owner, community leader, and coffee enthusiast. That same year, she married her best friend and the love of her life, Shane Poulsen.

During her thirteen years in Ogden, Ruthie cultivated deep friendships across many communities. Her warmth, candor, and spirited presence left a lasting impression. The breadth of her impact in such a relatively short time stands as a testament to the vitality of her character.

Ruthie is survived by her five children: Mandy (Bo), Tina, Rocky, Jesse (Lauryn), and Kira; and by her three grandchildren, Camden, Dracen, and Kendyll.

A memorial service will be held at Myers Mortuary in Ogden, Utah, on February 28, 2026, at 2:30 p.m., followed by a Celebration of Life at The Monarch in Ogden at 5:00 p.m.

The family invites friends to share memories and photos of Ruthie to her memorial page at http://www.myers-mortuary.com, so they may see her through your eyes. Services entrusted to Myers Mortuary in Ogden.

For those who will be watching her memorial service from Live Control, please click on the link below or click here: https://MyersMortuary.livecontrol.tv/70115aaa