Chronicler:    
Interviewer:    
Location:        
Date:  
Evangelina Ruby Ysursa Basabe
Mikel Chertudi
Eagle, Idaho
28 August 2001
Ruby
Ruby was born in Boise, Idaho on 17 December 1924 to Benito Ysursa and Asunción Camporredondo Ysursa.  She grew up helping with chores and working for her family's two successive hotel/boarding houses -- the Modern Hotel and Valencia Hotel.  Her father and uncle, Tom Ysursa, opened the Valencia in 1941.  Her mother took charge of the kitchens in the hotels.

Ruby met her husband, John Basabe, one evening when she was working at the Valencia.  They were married in 1951, and started working for Jessie Naylor at the Highland Sheep Company.  Ruby has vivid memories of her first few days up in the hills.

Ruby and her family moved to Grandview, Idaho when her husband got a job with JR Simplot's ranching company.  They stayed in Grandview for 28 years, moving when Simplot's headquarters moved to Boise.  Ruby and her husband developed a close friendship with the Simplots.

E. Ruby Ysursa Basabe Read the interview summary

Building the Valencia Hotel (3:36)

Up in the hills with John and the sheep (1:21)                                                     

John and Ruby's family history painting

Tom and John

Appreciation plaque from JR Simplot

John Basabe


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