Ruth Ellenore Herring

Ruth Ellenore Herring, 88, of Castle Rock, Colorado passed away April 6, 2023. She was born to Peter and Tena Frans on May 8, 1934, in Ham Lake, Minnesota. The youngest of six children, Ruthie grew up on a farm, racing her brothers on her bike and sharing a room with her sister Marion. She loved to tell the story of her sister coming home after an evangelical revival and proclaiming that the entire family was going to attend church or else. They did and all became followers of Jesus Christ and secured their salvation in Him alone! She loved her years at Temple Baptist Church as part of Baptist Youth Fellowship under Cliff Barrows. Her years at Temple grounded her in her faith and she lived out that faith for the rest of her life. During her high school years her siblings left the homestead to attend Bible college and pursue their vocations. During those years she cared for her mother who was bedridden from a stroke. She had fond memories of spending time with her dad (Papa) while he tinkered with construction projects in the basement. She graduated Valedictorian in 1952 from Johnson High School in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Upon graduation, Ruth worked for St. Paul Trust before moving to Denver at the age of 20. She was commuting on a bus from the YWCA to church when she met Terrance Herbst. Ruth and Terry married in 1954 at Beth Eden Baptist Church at Lowell Blvd and 32nd Ave. in west Denver. Terry was a ministerial student at Rockmont Bible College (now Colorado Christian University) while Ruth worked at Ryder Truck Rental. In August of 1956, their only child, Karine, was born. Terry soon moved into a sales career and Ruth became a legal secretary for Fred Vondy, Attorney at Law, in Cherry Creek. In the mid-60s the family moved from Lakewood to Littleton. Ruth became a legal secretary for the Patent Department at Marathon Oil Denver Research Center. The family were active members at First Christian Church of Englewood, Colorado under the shepherding of Pastor Sherman Miller. They were involved with many church activities and with their YCL Sunday School class. In 1977 her daughter married, and Ruth came down the aisle, by her own request, to the song Send in the Clowns. After her daughter’s wedding, Ruth and Terry moved to Mesa, Arizona and divorced in 1981.

Returning to Denver, Ruth set up her own secretarial consulting business before accepting a position with Windsor Gardens. She and Joseph C. Herring were married in 1985 surrounded by friends and family in Genesee, CO. They attended Denver First Church of the Nazarene and have fond memories of many close friendships from church formed over breakfast with their Sunday School class that met at Wilshire Country Club. Joe continued his practice in Patent Law. The couple spent their spare time flipping houses. Maybe they founded the movement. Ruth was an artist by hobby and had a keen eye for decorating. After owning several homes in Cherry Hills, the couple moved to the Smokey Hills area of Aurora. Ruth retired in 1999 at the age of 65 as General Manager of Aurora’s Windsor Gardens, an Adult Retirement Community of 3500 residents. She was honored and beloved in that role as she oversaw several large renovation projects, all finishing under budget. She was respected by the Aurora Chamber and government, even declining a run for Mayor despite encouragement to do so. A great sendoff was held for her retirement, and it launched Joe and ruth all the way to Vista, California where they enjoyed gorgeous weather, another home to decorate, new friendships and visits from the family for Carlsbad flowers and beach going.

Feeling the pull to family over weather, Joe and Ruth moved to Arizona to spend their later years near her daughter, grandchildren and great grandchildren. As finding Christian community was a priority in their lives, they quickly found a church home at Christ Church of the Valley (CCV) near their home in Peoria. Ruth helped with meals for the many funerals that were held free of charge at CCV, as well as bulletin folding and other volunteer projects. As was customary all her life, she entertained with open houses, small groups meeting at their home, and party planning for the Sunday School Class. They loved those years in Arizona. As their health started its slow decline, they made the decision to follow the family to Colorado for their final (and Ruth’s 4th) move where they settled in Castle Rock. Joe’s final years were spent at Brookside Inn, a skilled nursing and memory care facility. Joe passed in 2016 after nearly daily visits from Ruth. Ruth joined the Brookside loving family four years prior to her death. She spent her final hours with her daughter and Son-In-Law at her side as she peacefully went to her final home in heaven.

Ruth will be remembered for her intelligent mind, her Scandinavian strength, a quick wit, speaking her mind, the baby-of-the-family competitiveness, and her many pranks on her family and friends. She was an artist, a skilled seamstress making clothing for her daughter and granddaughters, a master entertainer, and a home decorator. She valued quality, especially at garage sale prices, a Saturday ritual. Alongside her tenacity, came a gentle compassionate spirit that fervently loved her family unconditionally and spoke the good news of the simple gospel to neighbors and friends. Ruth was a loving mother, devoting her time and talents to her daughter who she described as the greatest earthly give from God.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Joe, her parents, her brothers Earl, Kenneth and Curtis, and by her two sisters, Irene and Marion as well as a grandson, Colin, and her first husband, Terrance. She is survived by her daughter, Karine (Don) Beard, her grandchildren Kyle, Karilee and Cameo as well as her great-grandchildren Katelyn, Kaiden, Kendal, Karson and Kohen as well as many loved nieces and nephews.

In lieu of a service, the family of Ruth Ellenore Herring invites you to celebrate her life at an open house on Sunday, May 7, 2023, from 3:00-5:00 p.m. - 1922 Champions Circle, Castle Rock, CO 80104. A light fare BBQ will be provided

A private family graveside will be held on Ruth’s 89th birthday, May 8th.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.OlingerAndrews.com for the Herring family.