Ruth Lois Southard

Ruth Lois Alward was born on Oct 7, 1926, to Raymond Frederick Edward Alward and Gladys Nellie Clayton in Kingston, New York. Eleven years later her brother Robert Clayton Alward was born, and Ruth was thrilled to have her own live baby to take care of.

Ruth graduated from High School in 1943. Shortly thereafter she was engaged to be married to her high school sweetheart, Robert Monroe Southard. He was the son of Monroe Thomas Southard, Jr. and Olive Elizabeth Kirschner. After their engagement, Robert enlisted in the US Army and left for basic training in Texas. He then went to Camp Hale in Colorado for training in mountain warfare to be in the Tenth Mountain Division.

At the end of World War II, Ruth and Robert got married on August 25, 1945.

Her lifelong goal was to get married and have children and shortly after, she had a total of 4 children whom she loved dearly. They are Linda Jean, Jane Lois, Robert Monroe II, and Nancy Elizabeth, all born in Kingston New York.

Robert fell in love with Colorado during his training at Camp Hale and in 1965 he was transferred with IBM to Boulder Colorado, much to the dismay of their parents who thought of Colorado as the “wild west”. They had a house built for them in Broomfield, Colorado and here they planted their roots until the children were grown.

Robert was once again transferred to Arizona with IBM in 1980. There they enjoyed life to the fullest with crafts, sewing, Square Dancing, and motorcycle rides. Ruth had a lifelong fear of the water, and it was there in Arizona that Robert (who was an expert swimmer and diver) taught her how to swim and she became an Aquabelle!

Ruth moved back to Colorado after Robert passed away in 1991 to be with her children. She volunteered one day a week at Children’s Hospital and spent her time doing for others selflessly.

Ruth led quite a full life and was always up for a new challenge. She loved being closer to her family and went on many adventures with them.

She is survived by:

Linda Jean Boden

Jane Lois Haller (passed away in 2013)

Robert Monroe Southard II

Nancy Elizabeth Southard

Ruth had a total of 9 grandchildren:

Michael, Kevin and Brian Boden

Stephen, Tracy and Megan Haller

Tyler, Joshua and Brittany Southard

Ruth also had a total of 15 great grandchildren:

Bradford, Chloe and Chandler Boden

Isaac and Mark Boden

Mason and Melanie Haller

Isabella and Lila Boucher

Kora and Kasen Ott

Archer Southard

Andie, Emma and Maylene Southard

On November 14, 2025, Ruth passed away at the age of 99 from natural causes. She will be missed by all who knew her as she was very loving, caring and willing to give of herself to family and friends.

In her later years, she always wanted her son Robert to take her on another motorcycle ride even though at 92, she couldn’t get up on the motorcycle. He will be taking her on one last motorcycle ride to Arizona where her ashes will be spread over the Superstition Mountains to be with her husband once again.