Ruth Jane (Chase) Grotta was born September 29, 1933, in Willow Lake, South Dakota. Known as “Ruthie” or “Janie” by her friends and “Mom” by her children, she peacefully passed away on October 28, 2022, in Colorado Springs, Colorado at the age of 89.
The daughter of Loren Spencer Chase and Avis Alegra Berry, and little sister to her beloved brother George Hanford Chase, Jane grew up in South Dakota on her father’s sheep farm. She was a lively child who enjoyed riding her pony and playing with her brother George. After her mother passed away unexpectedly when she was 8 years old, Jane was raised by her Aunt Muriel and Uncle Hollis Hill and graduated from De Smet High School in 1951. Following graduation, Jane attended South Dakota State University working towards a nursing degree. She married Gerald Lou Grotta of Sioux Falls on July 11, 1954.
A dedicated mother and homemaker, Jane rejoined the workforce in September 1979. True to her desire to serve others, she started working at Norman Regional Hospital in Norman, Oklahoma. Following her divorce Jane went back to school. In June 1980 Jane graduated from the Moore-Norman Vo-Tech school in Norman, Oklahoma as a Dental Lab Technician and began working at the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry. After additional training and coursework, Jane began her own business, Handicapped Futures Incorporated, which she operated from April 1986 through March 1989. Jane ultimately retired in 1991 from her job at 4 Seasons Nursing Center in Norman, Oklahoma. During her retirement, Jane lived in North Richland Hills, Texas, and moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado in 2014.
In retirement, Jane continued her lifelong love of reading, especially history, archeology, historical fiction, spy novels, thrillers, and murder mysteries. Jane loved sewing, cross-stitching, knitting, and crochet. She enjoyed birdwatching, and a view of Pikes Peak, from the sunny windows of her home.
Jane is survived by her children Rebecca Jane Grotta, Catherine Ann Dilts, Deborah Lynn Aumiller, and Jeffrey Chase Grotta, grandchildren Ian Lysle Grotta, Merida Belice Bass, Jonas Chase Grotta, John Vincent Grotta, and Goldie Grace Grotta, and great-grandchildren, (by age) Isaac, Lassina, Kyra and Aaliyah.
A memorial service in honor of Jane will be held 2:00pm, November 18, 2022, at the Shrine of Remembrance “America the Beautiful” Chapel, Colorado Springs, Colorado.