Ruth Richards-2008
The Burlington Record, Burlington, Colorado Thursday, April 17, 2008

Ruth Alene (Lengel) Richards was born Jan. 18, 1927, in Wray. On Thursday, March 27, 2008 at the age of 81, Ruth went to be with the Lord. She was the third child of Joseph and Mary (Hinze) Lengel.

She attended the Newton School through the eighth grade, located one mile from their family home. She attended St. John Lutheran Church for one year of high school before graduating from Burlington High School in 1945, while living in a motel with her brother Wilbur. Their transportation to school was on horseback or walking. She was very athletic and won numerous awards through her high school years.

Ruth attended college in Greeley to receive her teaching degree. She taught school for several years. While teaching school she met her husband Harry Richards. They were united in marriage on Aug. 3 , 1947. They made their home 25 miles north of Burlington. To this union five children were born, Ray, Roger, Katherine, Charlotte and Donald.

Ruth was a devoted mother; she worked hard and was proud of what she did. She was an avid gardener and took great pride in her yard and garden. Ruth loved caring and cooking for her family, and the best times were Sunday dinners when all the family gathered together. She loved her ducks, geese, peacocks and guineas. Together Harry and Ruth enjoyed farming and ranching for 51 years, while raising their children.

The kids have many fond memories of their mom. Roger remembers the time Ray and Harry were breaking a horse. Ruth was outside watching as the horse proved to be challenging. Ruth commented, "Are you going to let that little thing get the best of you?" The challenge was all she needed. She crawled on the horse and rode it two times around the corral with the horse bucking the whole time. When the horse came to a stop, she jumped off and without a word went straight to the house. Needless to say, the kids never said a word the next day when their mom could barely walk.

Ruth was especially proud of her 16 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. She spent hours following their activities and sporting events. She never missed one of their birthday parties or special events. Ruth lovingly made each one .of them a hand quilted baby blanket.

In 1995, Ruth's life took a dramatic change and the life she knew would never be the same. The doctors told her that she would never walk again, but her strong will and persistence proved them wrong.

After her husband passed away in 1998, she remained on the farm for two more years before moving to Idalia in January of 2000. She was fortunate enough to have good neighbors who just happened to be a former classmate, Geraldine Crites. Lawrence and Geraldine were wonderful neighbors, always looking after Ruth.

She will be remembered as a devoted, loving and understanding wife; a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She always made time available to help her family, friends and neighbors. She was an active member of Hope Congregational Church of Bethune.

Ruth is preceded in death by her parents, beloved husband Harry, son Ray, son-in-law Wes Adolf, two brothers Galen and Edgar, two sisters-in-law Ametta Lengel and Amanda Richards, three brothers-in-law, David and Robert Richards and Hubert Powell.

Left to cherish Ruth's memories are Ray's wife Sue of Burlington, Roger and wife Suzy of Idalia, Katherine Adolf and Sarge Hoerr of Joes, Charlotte and husband Tom Myer of Wray, and Donald and wife Susie of Idalia.

Sixteen grandchildren; Gianina and husband Kurt Ridder, Jim and wife Joni, Landon and wife Dana, Tyler and wife Stephanie, Chad and wife Lindsey, Brad and wife Mindy, Duane and wife Lisa, Darla and husband Luke Northrup, Jamie and husband Spencer Johnson, Kim and husband Dave Horinek, Shanon and husband Chris Stults, Starla Myer, Andy and wife Crystal, Jeff and wife LauraLee, Kyle and Kasey Richards.

She was the proud great-grandmother of Austin and Katrina Richards, Ashley, Brooke, Cassidy and Cody Ridder, Dalton and Dylan Richards, Emily Richards, Aubrey and Cade Richards, Tyson and Trey Richards, Macy and Callie Richards, Madisyn Johnson, Justin Travis and Jacelyn Horinek, Morgan Stults, Kyndal Richards, Bryce Richards.

Ruth is also survived by her brother Wilbur and wife Maude of Juda, Wis., sisters-in-law Virginia Lengel, Elva Powell, and Burdine and husband Howard Homm, all of Burlington, and Vivian Richards of Vona, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Services were held Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at Hope Congregational Church north of Bethune at 10 a.m. Interment was in Fairview Cemetery in Burlington.

Memorials to Ruth Richards Memorial Fund % SunWest Banks of Colorado, Idalia, Colo.
Arrangements by Spellman-Schmidt Funeral Home of Wray.