Ruth Counter Dammann
January 20, 1915 ~ November 23, 2004
Resided in:
Pueblo, CO
Ruth Counter Dammann, 89, passed away peacefully at her home, in Pueblo, Colorado, November 23, 2004. She was born January 20, 1915, in Brighton, Colorado, to Ben T. and Marguerite (nee Frink) Counter. Ruth was predeceased by her college sweetheart and husband of 65 years, J. F. 'Bud' Dammann on July 8, 2000; and siblings, Ben F. Counter and Helen Counter Shull. She is survived by sons, Julius 'Jay' (Florence) Dammann of Pueblo and John 'Jack' (Jo) Dammann of Colorado Springs; five grandchildren, Michael (Diane) Dammann of San Antonio, Texas, Karen (Kevin) Dammann Sausker of Centennial, Colorado, David (Wendi) Dammann of Pueblo, Ann (Lance) Moore of Aurora, Colorado and Deborah (Craig) Mirkovich of Colorado Springs. Additionally, she is survived by five great-grandchildren, Alex Dammann of San Antonio, William Dammann of Pueblo, Kyla and Kaleb Moore of Aurora and JJ Mirkovich of Colorado Springs.
Ruth received her B.S. Degree from Colorado A and M (now CSU - Ft Collins) in 1949 and her M.A. Degree from Colorado College in 1959. Ruth was a school teacher and principal in Pueblo School District 60 for 25 years. She taught fifth grade, junior high mathematics, first grade and was principal of Central Grade School, retiring in 1972. Ruth was involved in many community activities including: past member of USC (now CSU - Pueblo) Foundation Board, past member of the McClelland Children's Foundation Board and a life member of Salvation Army Advisory Board.
Ruth was a member of the Beta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, an honorary society of women educators, and received Delta Kappa Gamma's Omega State Citation of Merit in 1981 and Beta Chapter's Woman of the Year Award in 2001. She was a NEA life member, a member of P.E.O. Chapter CI, Kappa Alpha Theta and the Half Century Club of the Pueblo Country Club. The Dammann's endowed scholarships through the USC (CSU-Pueblo) Foundation and the PCC Foundation. Ruth and Bud especially enjoyed Saturday night dinners with friends and later Ruth relished lunches with the 'Lunch Bunch.'
At her request, there will be no viewing. Cremation at Montgomery & Steward crematorium.
A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, December 5, 2004, at First Presbyterian Church, 10th & Court Streets. A reception will follow the services.
In lieu of food and flowers, those who desire may make memorial contributions to the Pueblo Zoological Society, CSU - Pueblo Foundation or PCC Foundation through Montgomery & Steward Funeral Directors, 1317 N. Main, Pueblo, CO 81003. Online condolences, www.montgomerysteward.com
Mine and my family thoughts and prayers are with you. Thinking of you in your time of sorrow.
From Cloyce “Tiny” Paige, April Paige and Family
To the family of Ruth…It was such a blessing to meet you and your mom when we first moved to Pueblo – even though it had to be at you dad’s funeral. We have fond memories of stories about Ruth when she was young that Dad has related to us over the years. He, too, (Roy Frink) sends his condolences from Loveland. I am a teacher and wish I would have known her when she was in the district. May God bless you all.
Mrs. Dammann was my first grade teacher at Somerlid School in 1956. She was one of my favorite teachers.
Dear Jay, Florence and Family,
So sorry about your dear mother. She was such a wonderful lady. I have missed seeing her at the club and was so happy to get to know her.
Dear family of Ruth, I was only recently notified of Ruth’s passing by my brother Ted. I too attended Central Grade School when Ruth was principle, from my kindergarten through fifth grade. My richest childhood memories are from that time. I was (to say the least) a “problem” student, and dear Ruth was my special advocate, negotiating more than once between my teachers and me many times. I would not have gotten the terrific start in school life that I did had it not been for her. She left a legacy of caring and love in thousands of other young students I am sure.
sincerely. Patricia Kopulos-Stiller
To Ruth’s Family.
I was very saddened to come upon the news of Ruth’s death. I attended Central Grade school from 1960-1965, and Ruth (I feel like I should call her “Mrs. Dammann”) was a wonderful friend to me (and my three older sisters). Always friendly and supportive, she’d always say hello to me in the hall, and come out of her inner office to chat when I was in the main office. I hadn’t seen her in almost 40 years, but when an article appeared in the Chieftain about me a few years ago, I heard from Ruth through a friend of hers. She remembered me and was still wanting to know how I was. So, I just wanted you to know I’m one of hundreds or thousands of kids whose lives she touched, and in whose fond memories she’ll always be.