Ruth Virginia (Gurss) Brethauer Andrews

Ruth Virginia (Gurss) Brethauer Andrews passed away April 11, 2018 at the age of 97 in the Wray Community District Hospital in Wray, Colorado. Ruth was born on July 12, 1920 to Ernest and Hettie Belle (Gifford) Gurss at the family home south of Laird, Colorado a few rods from the Kansas border. Ruth was the youngest of five siblings including sisters, Lillian Scheller, Orma Goodell, Mildred Estrick and brother Loyd (Pat) Gurss. All siblings preceded Ruth in death.

Ruth attended elementary school at Fairview School south of Laird and completed her formal education at Kersey High School from 1934 to 1938 where she graduated as Valedictorian of her class. She resided in Kersey with her sister Lillian and brother-in-law Hal during her high school years and enjoyed a life long loving relationship with her niece, Paulie, who was the same age as Ruth.

While residing in Kersey, Ruth met George Brethauer and they married on December 24 ^th , 1939. In 1948 Ruth and George moved to Ruth's parental ranch south of Laird with three sons, George, Steve, and Larry, accompanyed them on this move. The boys were raised on the Ranch but eventually left to pursue higher education. It is important to note that Ruth cared for the family without having electricity until 1956. Indoor water and plumbing was not in the home until about 5 years later.   In 1972, Ruth and George moved to Wray where they resided until their deaths. Ruth was a partner in the ranching and farming operation as well as one of the co-owners of Bugs Farm Supply in Wray. George passed away in 1982.

In May of 1984, Ruth married Dwayne (Deak) Andrews and they were together until his death in April of 2013. When Ruth married Deak, she openly embraced his entire family and the children and grandchildren became her family as well. Ruth immersed herself into getting to know and support Deak's entire family and became a second mother to the Andrews family.

Ruth was a devout Christian and member of the Wray United Methodist Church who lived her faith on a daily basis. She loved her Lord and Savior and was diligent in following his word. She studied the bible faithfully and prayed with strong passion in the belief her prayers were heard. Ruth always worked very hard to see the best in someone and maintained an honorable and positive approach to life through many trying times. She was an active member of the Wray United Methodist Women and was charitable in her giving to many causes.

Ruth was a lifelong homemaker, an excellent cook and a most of all a caring mother to her family. Her relationship with spouses of her children was one of love and respect. She greatly enjoyed family gatherings for holidays and special times like Wray Daze. Recently Ruth was very pleased to have family members bring in dinners for gatherings and fun.

Ruth was able to travel to many places with both George and Deak and enjoyed these outings immensely. She had a tremendous curiosity about the world and was a voracious reader. She loved stories with humor as well as those with action and pathos, but she always had a book available. She loved conversations about many subjects and reflected on history, the depression and the many changes in her life. Ruth was able to recite poems and stories she learned as a young woman and amazed many people with her recitations   She was also an avid Broncos and Rockies fan and loved to talk sports with anyone.

She was extremely proud of the accomplishments of her children and grandchildren. She frequently stated she was so pleased to have such a long life so she could get to see her children and grandchildren achieve high goals in their lives.

Ruth was preceded in death by husbands George Brethauer and Deak Andrews, granddaughter Amy Brethauer and grandson, Mark Patterson. Surviving her are the Brethauer children George (Terry) , Stephen (Ann) , Larry (Diana) and Andrews children Terry(Kay) Andrews, Sherree (Rick) Wilson, Denise (Jon) Stroup, Tanya Andrews and Dorene (Rod) Wiest. Ruth is also survived by 18 grandchildren, and over 60 great and great- great grandchildren. She also left behind her kitten, Queenie who provided special companionship to her.

A receiving of family and friends was held on Monday, April 16 ^th from 5:00 – 7:00 pm. at the Schmidt-Jones Funeral Home, 427 Adams Street, Wray, CO, 80758. Funeral services were held at the Wray United Methodist Church in Wray with Pastor Ben Wentworth officiating. Interment is in Grandview Cemetery in Wray. Memorials may be made to the Wray United Methodist Church or the Wray Museum. Schmidt-Jones Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.