Ruth I. Smitherman, 87, of Allenspark, died Nov. 8, 2004 at Wellspring in Louisville, Colo.

She was born Feb. 27, 1917 in Protection, Kan., to John and Minnie (Sinkle) Wait. She married Donald W. Smitherman in 1938 in Protection.

Ruth received her B.S. in Education from Wichita State University in Wichita, Kan. She had a long career as an elementary and special education teacher. She taught for Head Start in Greeley and Special Education and Elementary School in Steamboat Springs.

She was a member of Westview Presbyterian Church in Longmont and she was also a Sunday school superintendent at Allenspark Community Church. Ruth will be remembered for her love of teaching children. She enjoyed square dancing and ballroom dancing for more than 50 years. She also enjoyed hiking, four-wheeling and rock collecting.

Her parents preceded her in death.

Survivors include her husband Donald of Allenspark; a son, Steve Smitherman and his wife Bonnie of Berthoud; a daughter, Donna Ellis of Denver; brothers John Wait of Dallas, Texas and Merle Wait of Protection; sisters Maxine Huck of Protection and Doris Riner of Scott City, Kan. and five grandchildren, Sherry Schaeffer, Stanley Smitherman, Ryan Ellis, Carrie Ellis and Katelyn Smitherman. Four great-grandchildren, Maggie, Ruth Margaret, Emily and Jake, also survive her.

A memorial service will be held Nov. 15 at 10 a.m. at Westview Presbyterian Church in Longmont. Galen Huck will officiate. Ahlberg Funeral Chapel and Crematory will do cremation. Memorial contributions may be made to The Tiny Tim Center in care of Ahlberg Funeral Chapel, 326 Terry Street, Longmont, CO 80501. Condolences may be made to the family at www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com