Ruth Adele

Ruth Adele passed away in Colorado Springs on September 28, 2024, from cancer. She was born in Chicago, Illinois. She was a fierce, funny, loving, smart advocate for women/lesbians, the rights of others and animals. Ruth was a founding mother of DOE farm, women's land in Wisconsin. She attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison where she decided to become a naturopathic doctor.

She attended Bastyr University, graduating in 1983, and opened her first clinic in Olympia, Washington. Seeking a dry climate, she moved to Colorado Springs. Ruth was a groundbreaker in Colorado, giving solid health care to many in the Springs for decades before the state had a law defining naturopathic medical practice. She was a full-spectrum Family Practice doctor, devoted to her patients, always responsive and responsible, solidly rooted in science and the old naturopathic methods at the same time. She was proud that she treated five generations of one family. She also served on the national accreditation board for naturopathic universities.

Ruth was beloved by many, cultivating deep friendships that lasted decades from her time in Chicago, Wisconsin, Washington State, and Colorado. She was an important member of the Colorado Springs community. She spent many years training her own dogs, fostering nearly 100 and as a valued member of the board, at All Breed Rescue & Training. One man, a first-time dog kahu (steward/guardian), said that in just one phone call, her words of kindness, guidance, and love helped ensure that his time with his dog was successful, happy, and filled with love.

Ruth is survived by her brother, Ron Williams, and her niece and nephew, Jamie and Jake Williams. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ruth's name can be made to Bastyr University or All Breed Rescue & Training.