Ruth and her older sister, Frona, were raised in the Yuma area by their father after losing their mother to tuberculosis when Ruth was 6 years old.
Following graduation from high school, Ruth attended the University of Colorado at Boulder, where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in education. She taught in Monte Vista, Colo., for a year prior to moving to Meeker in 1948. She taught English and Spanish at Rio Blanco County High School for several years.
Not long after moving to Meeker, she met Hal “Tom” Pearce standing in front of Meeker Drug. At the time, she was living with Joe and Jennie Spence, and, after meeting Tom, she was late returning to the Spence residence. The doors were locked so she crawled through a window to get back in.
Ruth and Tom were married June 21, 1950. To this union were born four children: Christine Ann, Hal W., Mark H. (who died in infancy) and Denise Jean.
In addition to being an active partner with her husband in the Pearce Ranch, Ruth was very active in the community. She served on the hospital board, the school board, the Rainbow Girls board, was a 4-H leader, a member of the Meeker United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women, where she served on numerous committees and was church treasurer for many years, was secretary treasurer of the Colorado Rural Electric Association Women’s Task Force, and was a member of Mesa Club, which was a community home demonstration club.
Ruth was known for her outstanding cooking, gardening and canning abilities. She was often referred to as the “jelly queen” at the county fair for her countless blue ribbon jellies and jams. She was also known for her delicious homemade biscuits and pies.
In 2006, Ruth was honored along with her husband as the Range Call parade marshals, and they served as the presidents of the Rio Blanco County Pioneers Association that same year.
Ruth is survived by her three children: Christine, Hal and wife Julie, and Denise. She is also survived by three grandsons: Tom and wife Heidi, Jim and Matt. Ruth’s great granddaughter, Hallie Ruth Pearce, also survives her.
In addition to her infant son Mark, she was preceded in death by her parents, her sister and her husband.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday Nov. 17, 2014, at the Meeker United Methodist Church. Interment will follow at the Highland Cemetery under the direction of Grant Mortuary.
