Mildred Ruth Hall

Mildred 'Ruth' Hall, 91, born in Pueblo, Colo., on Jan.17, 1922, died on Saturday, July 27, 2013. She was a gifted storyteller, a natural entertainer, and a world-class pie baker. She was a great listener and she always made you feel like you were the most interesting person she'd ever met. Ruth was game for anything and hardly ever turned down a chance to travel, to play the slots, to visit someone or to try something new. She was mischievous and funny, and even though she might tease you all day, she never hurt your feelings. If she told you she would do something she did it. She had an extraordinarily strong work ethic and always made the best of bad situations. When life handed her lemons she just made lemon pie. Ruth loved feeding people, cooked without recipes, and believed if one was good, three were better. Her grand kids loved it when she happened to be the person packing their sack lunches. She met Al at a baseball game in Avondale. He was playing, she was watching. After the game, he took her home and a few months later they married. It was a union that lasted 72 years until his death a year ago. Ruth hated fish, but spent most summer weekends on a lake with a fishing rod in her hands. She could out-fish her husband, bait her grandkid's hooks, kill, clean and cook a Gunnison Kokanee salmon better than any restaurant. But if she ever ate a bite of fish, it was an accident. She took up crocheting in her 50s and made beautiful afghans, many of them Colorado State Fair award winners. She loved crossword puzzles, and even after losing her eyesight in her 70s, she continued to complete a puzzle daily with Al reading the clues to her. Ruth was kind and fair and fun to be around. She loved the Broncos, chicken and noodles and baking. She baked dozens of pies for her granddaughters' weddings and was famous for her coconut cake. Ruth loved her husband, girls, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She always made time to attend every horse show, sporting event or school concert we were involved in. She has left a huge hole in our hearts. Ruth is survived by her daughters, Kathie (Gary) Dennison, Connie Skoglund; grandchildren, Dawn Dennison (Tom Plant), Jon Dennison, Doug (Veronica) Dennison , Todd (Tracie) Skoglund, Tonya (Taj ) Yelton; and great-grandchildren, Iain Nolan-Yelton, Taylor Skoglund, Erika Skoglund and RyanMcFarlin; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Special thanks to the Sangre de Cristo Hospice for the incredible care they took over the past few years. At her request there will be no services. Donations can be made to hospice or a charity of your choice. Online condolences, www.montgomerysteward.com