Ruth Ardus Bryant

Ruth was born in Brooklyn, NY on February 24, 1934. She lived in Brooklyn and Queens with parents Emma and John Eckoldt and her younger brother Jack. She graduated from the Teacher’s College at New Paltz University, NY in 1955.

Ruth moved west to Colorado Springs where she met Ross Bryant on a blind date. The two were married Memorial Day, 1958 in First United Methodist Church of Colorado Springs.

She always wanted to be a teacher from a young age and Ruth taught for 30 years in District 11 at Queen Palmer and Bates Elementary schools. She carried on in her passion throughout her retirement years as a docent at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and later the Tucson Zoo when they moved to Arizona. Ruth and Ross moved from Tucson to MorningStar Assisted Living in Fort Collins 3 years ago.

Ruth had a strong faith in Jesus, was a prayer-warrior, and an active member at First Presbyterian Church in Colorado Springs, and The Holy Way Presbyterian Church in Tucson.

It is so hard to narrow down Ruth’s loves as she loved so well. She loved Dad and they enjoyed traveling in retirement. She adored her grandkids and entertained them with stories, books and her sense of adventure. All animals and specifically her dogs had a special place in her heart.

Ruth is survived by her husband Ross; her daughter Ellen and husband Steve Benegar; her son Reb and wife Becky Bryant; granddaughter Kelsey and husband Jonny McIntosh; grandson Ross and wife Sarah Jane Bryant; granddaughter Karris Bryant; and brother Jack Eckoldt.

She is preceded in death by her parents Emma and John Eckoldt.

Donations can be sent to Ruth’s favorite place, The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Foundation www.cmzoo.org.

There are not enough words to express our gratitude to the exceptional care given to her by the staff and caregivers at MorningStar Assisted Living in Fort Collins, Bloom Health, the care team at Pathways Hospice and healthcare workers at Poudre Valley Hospital.