Ruth Marie Hartman

Ruth Marie Hartman died on November 8, 2021 in Collinwood Assisted Living in Fort Collins, CO, surrounded by her family. She finished out her life well, developing a new family of friends at her home in Collinwood, while faithfully tending all of her lifelong family and friends. She remained sharp, keeping up with the Broncos, reading daily news, and conducting her business.

Ruth was delivered by her father in their farm home in Hoxie, Kansas on Christmas Day 1924, in the middle of a Kansas blizzard! She was child number nine, born in a family with 11 brothers and sisters, to John and Maggie Moss. She proudly stated her family were true “prairie people”. She lived through many hard times in her years growing up, surviving prairie fires, swarms of locusts, dust storms, and the Great Depression. A pattern in Ruth’s life was to face each day with hope and determination, this spirit of perseverance, fierce strength, love of family, and courage was a product of her and her families experiences on this Hoxie farm during these hard times.

Ruth and her younger sister Juanita were playmates often spying on their older sibling’s romances. Ruth had an adventurous spirit. As a young girl she climbed high up in the rafters of their barn to gather a baby pigeon out of its nest to show Juanita and her younger brother Archie. Ruth tromped through the farm fields for 2 miles to their one room school house called White Dove. She was even instructed by her older sister Goldie who taught at that schoolhouse for a year.

In high school she fancied a classmate Loyal Merlin “Bud” Hartman. Their budding romance was further encouraged by their teacher who conveniently arranged for them to sit next to each other. This romance flourished, and upon Bud’s return from World War II, they were married on April 9, 1945 in Fort Collins, CO.

After a brief time in Hoxie, Bud and Ruth left for Timnath, Colorado where they tried their hand at farming. Together as a couple they had many adventures during this season – living in a tent amidst a herd of wild horses, and living in an old abandoned house. A severe hail storm ruined their dreams of farming. Consequently, Bud enrolled in school and later became a professor at C.S.U. in Fort Collins. During these years, their four children (Gary, David, Stephen, and Lisa) were born.

Ruth’s primary passion and purpose was raising her children, and providing a nurturing home you always wanted to come back to. She loved hosting and cooking delicious meals for her family (enough to feed and army). She was a superb hostess, often entertaining college professors and graduate students. Her family always looked forward to cheerful gatherings in her home for the holidays. If she saw a wrong, she worked hard to right it. She was courageous in all things, whether that was spearheading the clean up of City Park, or going back to college to earn a degree at age 52. Ruth loved her gardening, digging in the dirt to nurture and grow all different types of flowers. She was quietly a savvy investor and had a knack for real estate, managing her holdings right up to the end. And Ruth was a champion for her grandchildren, giving a listening ear and offering encouragement without judgment.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents: John and Margaret Moss; all of her siblings: James, Mary, Goldie, Robert, Ray, Charles, Bertha, Ralph, Juanita, and Archie; and two of her sons: Gary and Stephen.

Ruth’s legacy carries on in her children and her grandchildren through their love, courage, creativity, passion for justice, and helping hearts.

Ruth is survived by her son David (wife Melaney), granddaughter Kate (children August, River, and Sage), and grandson Jeb; her daughter-in-law Carrie (m. Stephen), granddaughters Molly and Heidi, and grandson Caleb; and her daughter Lisa (husband Michael), grandson Jeremiah (partner Emma), granddaughter Hayley (husband Chris, children Jude and Winslow), grandson Zachary (partner Maria), granddaughters Hannah (husband Jake), Bethe, and Hani.

There are not enough words to express our gratitude to the exceptional care given to her by the staff and caregivers at Collinwood Assisted Living in Fort Collins, and the staff at Bristol Hospice.

Donations will go to the Collinwood Assisted Living Community Activities Program.