Ruth Elizabeth McHattie, age 90, loving wife, mother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on January 1, 2015. She was born on September 14, 1924, in Temvik, North Dakota.
Ruth is survived by her husband of 68 years, Donald; son, Richard; daughter, Bethine (Brian); grandson, Alex (Julia); and granddaughter, Katie; sisters: Elsie and Millie; nieces, nephews, and many more family members and friends. Ruth joins her father and mother, Jakob and Caroline Bender; sisters: Frieda, Martha, Mina, Alvina, Bertha, Emma, Ann, and Tess; brothers: Edward and Martin; as well as several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Ruth’s parents immigrated to the United States from Germany in 1909 and raised Ruth, along with her 10 sisters and 2 brothers on a small farm. In 1943, Ruth and two younger sisters left the family farm for Valley City, North Dakota to finish high school, and there she met her future husband, Donald McHattie. A few years after high school, true love bloomed and grew between Ruth and Donald through letters and phone calls. At that time, Ruth was a manicurist in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Donald had joined the Army Air Corps. They were married on December 24, 1946.
Because of Donald’s military career, the couple moved every few years. Their first assignment together was in Texas; son Richard was born in Vallejo, California and daughter Bethine was born in England. They went on to live in Missouri, Nebraska, California again, Hawaii, and finally to Colorado Springs in 1973, their last assignment before retirement. The couple enjoyed England and traveling to Europe, but their favorite station was in Hawaii, where son Richard still lives.
Ruth loved her home and family, and took great pride in her household skills of raising children, baking, cooking, cleaning, decorating, and sewing. Since childhood, sewing had always been a great passion for Ruth, and for many years, she delighted in making most of her own clothes. She also worked as a sewing instructor and as an alterations seamstress. She enjoyed clothes and jewelry, and she wore both with great style.
A memorial service for family and friends will be held for Ruth on Friday, January 16, 2015 at First Presbyterian Church, Colorado Springs, at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ruth’s memory to Habitat for Humanity, Pikes Peak Hospice, or a charity of your choice.