Ruth Luceal Jenkins, age 94, passed away peacefully on September 7, 2015. She was a resident of Colorado Springs for 48 years and formerly a resident of North Platte, NE. Ruth taught home economics at North Junior High School for 15 years prior to her retirement in 1982.
Ruth was born on July 19, 1921 to Andrew Matthew and Grace Nettie (Meyers) Gantenbein in Fayette County, IA. On December 9, 1945 she married Edgar W. Jenkins in Belmond, IA.
Ruth graduated from Upper Iowa University in 1941 with a degree in Home Economics and became a teacher. She loved teaching and over her career taught all levels, High School, 4th grade, and Junior High Science and Home Ec. While Ed was with the Armed Forces Radio Network, Ruth was the “Hospital Gal” and broadcast to servicemen in the Veteran’s Hospital. Being a farm girl, she loved digging in her flower beds and was always ready to can, especially tomatoes and peaches. She loved being a grandmother… from mending torn jeans to playing basketball, from helping with homework to saving pennies for a granddaughter’s wedding dress, from going to hockey games to helping with 4-H clothing projects. Ruth and Ed traveled extensively after they retired. She kept a journal and could recall their trips from those daily entries. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church, served as a Deacon, was a member of Ruth’s Circle and helped in the kitchen for many years. She and Ed were very active in their Sunday school class. She was also a member of PEO.
She is survived by her children: Linda (Terry) Lambeth, Christine (Bud) Rose, Beth (Rob) Schroeder, Sue (Ken) Hayward; her sister: Verna Weieneth; her grandchildren: Mindy (Kevin) Curtis, Christopher (Angie) Eddins, Jeanette (Brandon) Gold, Gabrielle Rose, Kyle (Lisa) Schroeder, Kimberly Schroeder, Kent Schroeder, Andrew Hayward, Johnathan Hayward; her great-grandchildren: Amanda (James) Turpin, Randy Curtis, Morgan Eddins, Rilea Eddins, Ryan Gold, Dylan Gold, Nolan Schroeder, Macie Schroeder; and her great-great-grandchildren: Jillyan Turpin and Paityn Curtis. She was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Ed Jenkins.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, September 14, 2015 at the First Presbyterian Church, 219 E. Bijou St., Colorado Springs, CO. A reception will be held immediately following the service in the Fellowship Hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Ruth’s name to the First Presbyterian Church, Deacons Fund, 219 E. Bijou St., Colorado Springs, CO 80903.