June 30, 1942 - January 9, 2022
Jean Pearl Ruyle went to be with the Lord on January 9, 2022. She was born on June 30, 1942, just a year and a day after her older sister, Dorothy, was born. After her parents’ divorce, she moved with Dorothy and their mother, Katherine (Blumenshine) Baumgartner, to Greeley. Jean graduated from Greeley High School in 1960.
After attending cosmetology school, Jean worked at the Denver Dry Goods Co. She was introduced to her future husband, Richard Ruyle, on a blind date. They were married in 1965. They made their home near Wiggins, where Richard farmed and Jean drove beet truck and was Richard’s chief parts runner. They welcomed daughters Stacie, Sherie, and Debbie during this time.
As her girls grew, she loved being a stay-at-home mom and became involved in their activities. She was a Sunday School and VBS teacher at the Wiggins Community Church, as well as a 4-H leader for 10 years. She loved doing all kinds of crafts, including ceramics and cross stitch.
Richard and Jean moved to the Wray area in 1987, and have lived there since. In these later years, she enjoyed watching her grandkids grow. She was known for her ability to light up the conversation with one of her many jokes.
Jean was preceded in death by her sister Dorothy, brother-in-law, Royce Cannon, parents-in-law Anna and Wayne Ruyle, mother, Katherine, and son-in-law, David Ritchey.
Those who will one day reunite with her in Heaven are her husband of 56 years, Richard Ruyle of Wray; daughters Stacie Ritchey of Wiggins, Sherie Wagner of Brush, and Debbie (Bryan) Bowers of Wray; grandchildren Morgen (Bryson) Grennan of Fort Morgan, Molly Wagner of Limon, Corey Ritchey of Wiggins, and Joel Wagner of Anton; great-grandaughter Penelope Grennan; and in-laws Ronald (Sharon) Ruyle of Wiggins, Charles (Darlene) Ruyle of Wiggins, and Bernice (Terry) Muilenburg of Oregon, as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
Jean’s family would like to thank her caregivers for the support and companionship they provided her in her later years.
A Receiving of Family & Friends will be held Saturday, January 15, 2022 from 5-7 p.m. at the Schmidt-Jones Funeral Home, 427 Adams Street in Wray, Colorado.
Funeral Services for Jean will be held Monday, January 17, 2022 at 10 a.m. at the Wiggins Community Church, with interment to follow at the Hoyt Cemetery. Those who are unable to attend the memorial service will be able to livestream it via the Schmidt-Jones Funeral Home Facebook page.
Memorial donations can be made to the Morgan County 4-H Program and the Wray Rehabilitation and Activities Center (WRAC).
Schmidt-Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
