Ruth Louise Ukele Pittenger

Ruth Louise Ukele Pittenger January 2, 1922 – September 28, 2012 Ruth L. Ukele was born on January 2, 1922, in a cabin along Government Creek just north of Rifle, Colorado, to Vera Catherine Kirkham and Clarence Christian Ukele. Her parents and her oldest sibling, Mark, migrated from western Kansas by train in 1913, to the Rifle area where they farmed on acreage just north of the current location of Valley Lumber. The Ukele family relocated to what is now known as Ukele Lane west of Silt in 1928. Ruth was educated in the Silt schools, graduating as Valedictorian from Silt High School in 1940, and then attended Ross Business College in Grand Junction. After completing her classes, she became an accountant and partner in the Mile High Seed Company, in Grand Junction, from 1945 -1951. On October 7, 1951, she married Nicholas Paul Pittenger. They lived in Rifle, purchasing a small ranch in 1956, that was later incorporated into the City of Rifle, as the Palomino Park subdivision in the 1980's. Nick was employed at the Bureau of Mines operation at Anvil Points for several years. Three children were born to this union, C. Fred, Connie Ruth, and Paula Sue. Ruth was very active in the lives of her children as they were growing up as well as the United Methodist-Presbyterian Church of Rifle, Jewel Chapter #77 Order of Eastern Star, Rifle Creek Homemaker Extension Club, the Rifle Creek Museum, the Rifle Senior Center, and VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance). She was a lifelong Democrat, serving many times as an election judge and precinct chairperson. She was an avid gardener for both flowers and vegetables. Her breads and jams won numerous ribbons at the Garfield County Fair. In December, 2004, due to declining health, she moved to Grand Junction to be closer to her children. In November, 2009, she moved to Montrose to live with her surviving daughter. She was 90 years old at her passing. Ruth was preceded in death by her infant daughter, Paula Sue, in 1957; her husband, Nick, in 1986; three brothers, Mark, John, and Arthur; and three sisters, Effie Ukele, Catherine Williams, and Della Griffin. She is survived by her son, Fred (Pam) of North Carolina; a daughter, Connie of Montrose, CO; two sisters, Mary Jane Propernick of Buena Vista, CO, and Anna (Merle) Lloyd of Hamilton, MT; many nieces and nephews, and grand-dogs, Molly Spot, MaeBella, Glory, and Maddie. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the United Methodist-Presbyterian Church, 200 E. 4th St., Rifle, 81650 or the Rifle Creek Museum, 337 East Ave., Rifle, 81650. A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, October 2, at 2:00 p.m. at the United Methodist-Presbyterian Church in Rifle, CO. Private family inurnment has preceded the service at Rose Hill Cemetery in Rifle, CO. A reception will follow the service. Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home and Crematory, Montrose, CO.