Obituary-Ruth Ford Fell, 92

December 17, 2004

Ruth Ford Fell was born December 10, 1911, at Meade, Kansas to Harry and Pearl Ford. Her childhood was spent on a farm on the Irish Flats southwest of Meade near her dear cousins of the Asa and Fred Ford families. Ruth was an only child, but her parents also raised two foster children, Inez and Charles Burnett, whose parents had died. She completed her education at Meade High School. On September 20, 1931, she was united in marriage to Harrison Fell at the Ford family home. Ruth and Harrison lived in Colby, Kansas, for a time, then moved to a ranch job at LaVerne, Oklahoma. It was here that their first two daughters, Donna Joy and Vera Ruth, were born. They moved to Meade, Kansas, where third daughter, Marilyn Kay was born. In 1942 Ruth and Harrison made the move to Kit Carson, Colorado, where they joined Harry Ford in the ranching business and formed the Ford-Fell Ranch. It was here that their son, Richard Harrison, was born. They lived and raised their children here until 1956 when the drought forced them from the ranch. They lived in Kit Carson until 1958 when they moved to Hugoton, Kansas, where Harrison had an auction business. August 17, 1962, Harrison passed away after a year long battle with congestive heart failure.

Ruth and Richard remained in Hugoton until Richard graduated from high school. Ruth then moved to Meade, Kansas, where she cared for her parents. At Meade, Ruth was active in Church activities and always had exhibits at the county fair. She was employed at Mulnax Drug Store and worked at the school lunch room. Ruth was visiting in Colorado in January, 1998 when she had a stroke. Weisbrod Nursing Home was her residence until she passed away on November 24, 2004.

While a child living on the farm southwest of Meade, Ruth committed her life to Christ when attending the country Church of Elsie Chapel. This began a life long walk with the Lord and she was faithful to her Lord and the work of the church. Family was an important part of Ruth's life. She had 19 double cousins that were very dear and she looked forward to the yearly Ford-Keltner-Lowery family reunion.

Living on the ranch north of Kit Carson, Ruth raised chickens, gardened, and cooked for her family and ranch hands. She was active in the Mount Pearl community where her children attended the country school. She was instrumental in organizing 4-H clubs in Cheyenne County and the Twin Buttes 4-H Club was the first in the county. Her children exhibited cattle and horses that were raised on the ranch.

The family was active in the Kit Carson Methodist Church and never missed a Sunday worship service even though they lived fifteen miles from town. Ruth and Harrison were members of the Progressive Club which she enjoyed.

Ruth loved babies and always seemed to have one on her lap wherever she was. Baby sitting for families in Kit Carson and Meade was a source of income for her while caring for children she loved. She was invited to many weddings and graduations and always gave a gift of her beautiful embroidered pillowcases. And who hasn't had some of Ruth's crocheted pot holders which she gave out like business cards---only they were her gift of love.

Ruth loved participating in county fairs both in Colorado and at Meade with her baking and sewing. She would get many blue ribbons and enjoyed it for many, many years.

Friends of the Fell children still remark about Ruth's fried bread, cinnamon rolls, and chicken and homemade noodles. The Fell household was always full of young people and laughter. The ranch was well known for wiener roasts, riding horses, and slumber parties and Ruth made each person feel welcome. She allowed all of her kids to have their dogs and pets which they still have their love of animals, rodeo and horse racing.

Ruth never knew a stranger and would strike up a conversation with anyone and the main topic would always be of her wonderful family. She babysat for all her grandchildren at sometime in their life and knew each one very well and encouraged them in their special interest. They always knew that Grandma Ruth would be there for their football, baseball, basketball, rodeo, exhibiting at the fair, square dance revue, piano recital, band concert and even the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas to watch her granddaughter, Tamara, compete.

Ruth enjoyed traveling and went to California to visit her beloved cousin, Fern. Two of her friends, Ruth Benke and Lola Nash, accompanied her on her trip to Hawaii to attend the Lamar Denim & Lace performance where granddaughter, Dwana and Dawni, were involved. Marilyn and Norman and the Bledsoe Family were also on the trip and they could not keep up with her as she did not want to miss anything. She loved the trips to Kansas City to see the Christmas light, going to Branson or Epcot in Florida. But most of all, she loved going to things with her family. She traveled many miles to rodeos with them and would take in everything that was going on there. And she would always ask "How much did you win?" She never missed a birthday, an anniversary party, a shower, a wedding or just a get together for Ground Hog Day. Her innocent sense of humor delighted all who knew her and her family has a treasure chest of memories of Grandma’s sayings. She loved the Fell Family Christmas Program and often took part---always reading the Christmas Story from the Bible to begin the festivities. She instilled a deep respect for learning---always telling us to get good grades----honesty, morality, responsibility, and to be in Church.

It is hard to sum up a life of nearly 93 years in a few paragraphs, but her last few years after her stroke slowed down her zest for life. Not once did she ask why this happened to her and complain of her final station in life. She died at the stroke of midnight which means that this Cinderella caught her Chariot to heaven and things are sure to be busy up there for an eternity.

Ruth is survived by her loving family of Donna and Dwain Eaton, Dwana, Dawni and Dayne and their families: Vera and Don Hammons, Tamara, Troy Don, and Talara and their families: Marilyn White, Melody, Scott, Perry, and Sean and their families: Richard and Judy Fell, Monica, Mia, and Harrison and their families. This includes 13 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and one great, great granddaughter. Memorials may be made to the Kit Carson or Meade, Kansas Methodist Church.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, December 1, 2004 at the United Methodist Church in Kit Carson, Colorado. Rev. Michael Ingersoll officiated. Ruth’s granddaughters Monica Uhland and Talara Coen sang "Ivory Palaces", "In the Garden" and "Amazing Grace" accompanied by Marilyn Bullock. Casket bearers were: Troy Don Hammons, Scott White, Perry White, Dayne Eaton, Kyle Mitchell and Stetson Mitchell. The graveside committal services were held on Thursday, December 2, 2004 at the Graceland Cemetery in Meade, Kansas. The Rev. Susan Greene officiated. Brown Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.