Ruth P. Rinker

Born October 22, 1922 in Westcliffe, Colorado, to the late Frieda and Martin Miller, Ruth grew up on her family’s ranch in the beautiful Wet Mountain Valley. After graduating from high school, she attended business college in Chillicothe, Missouri, before landing her first job at a bank in Alamosa. After 2 years in Alamosa, she moved to Colorado Springs and worked at the Colorado Springs National Bank. Ruth married Alvin Rinker on June 28, 1950 and the couple raised three children.

Ruth enjoyed sewing, cooking, baking, and quilting. She was an accomplished porcelain artist who taught classes and exhibited her work at the state fair and national conferences. She also served in leadership positions with the Colorado Porcelain Artists organization. For several years Ruth served as a 4-H leader, and she volunteered at Penrose Hospital. She was devoted to her family and she especially loved spending time with her grandchildren. Ruth was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church for over 60 years.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband of 30 years, Alvin Rinker; brothers LaVerne and Wilbur, and sister Evelyn. She is survived by a sister, Wilma Kattnig; her children and their spouses, Richard Rinker (Onorina Vedovi-Rinker) of Colorado Springs, Marcia Rinker (David Little) of Denver, Barbara Brockway (Tom) of Little Rock, Arkansas; four grandchildren, Carmina Lass, Ryan Slagle, Mathew Brockway, and Jennifer Sheehy; and four great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 3, 2018, at Memorial Gardens, 3825 Airport Road, Colorado Springs, Colorado. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to The Alzheimer’s Association or to a charity of your choice.