Ruth Helena Wise

Ruth Helena (Collette) Wise was born at home on the family farm Northeast of Joes, Colorado to James Ralph Collette and Alba Olivia (Norstrom) Collette on July 11, 1925.  She was the oldest of five children. She passed away on March 25, 2018 at 10:38 pm. She was 92 years old.

            Ruth attended her first eight years of schooling at the one room country school of Fox  and Red Top. Sometimes going in a homemade one-half of an old car horse drawn buggy, which held her three brothers and her sister.  She lived three miles from school and on occasion would have to walk there home with her brothers and sister.

            Ruth graduated from Kirk High School with the Class of 1944.  Upon graduation she and two of her classmates went to Denver and stayed with her aunt to find employment.  She worked for the Gates Rubber Company in the braided hose department. After taking a Civil Service Exam she worked at the Lowry Air Force Base in the main headquarter office for two years.

            On February 9, 1947 she married Gillbert “Jack” Wise, who had just returned home after serving four years in the U.S. Army in WWII.

Jack and Ruth purchased her Grandparents, Andrew and Dora Norstrom, farm N.E. of Joes, Colorado.  This was where they lived and raised their two sons, Emmett and Dain.

Ruth was a devoted mother and farm wife helping with cattle chores and her sons’ 4-H projects  and school activities.

On 1956, after several years of drought she applied for employment at the local Kirk State Bank.  Ruth work there for forty-seven years and four months. She served as Cashier and later became a Director.  She very much enjoyed her job and worked until retirement on January 31, 2003.

            Her pride and joy was having family close by. She also liked to cook and try new recipes, and usually had cookies to share when anyone stopped by.  

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Gillbert, two brothers James and Edsel, two sister-in-laws Leona Idler Collette and Nadine Klassen Collette, and her grandson Greg Wise.

She is survived by her sons Emmett and Wife Bonita of Joes, CO, Dain and fiance Deb Kahrs of Kirk, CO, grandchildren Dustin Wise and wife Tosha of Joes, CO, Tycie Wise of Chandler, Arizona, and great grandchildren Tyler Jack and Travis Wayne Wise of Joes, CO.  Her sister Mabel Kechter and husband BIll, Brother Otis Collette and wife Bernice, and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Services were held at Liberty High School, with interment at the Olivet Cemetery N.E. of Joes, CO (just one mile from the home where Ruth was born).  Baucke Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.  

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