Ruth Ella Proeschold

Ruth Ella Proeschold, who was raised among the endless fields of grain and hogs of Bode, Iowa, and who raised her family alongside the breathtaking views of Pike’s Peak, died on January 19, 2026 at the age of 90. She was born Ruth Ella Rood to Burton Rood and Rosetta Ella Hansen on February 28, 1935. Long before Title IX, she played high school basketball, sparking a lifelong love of sports. While in nursing school in Fort Dodge, Iowa, Ruth’s roommate introduced her to her boyfriend’s best friend, Glen Proeschold. Glen was the radio announcer on the local radio station with a deep and resonant baritone voice. They fell in love, courting through songs requested over the radio, bike riding, and going to drive-in movies. Ruth and Glen married in 1957, and Ruth helped deliver over 100 babies. They moved to Ottumwa, Iowa, where Glen worked at the local television station and where they had their first two children, Holly and Darby. They caught an adventuresome spirit to move west in 1962 where Glen could play a larger role in the growing media sensation of television. They were instantly taken with Colorado Springs, where their final child Scott was born and where they lived for 39 years, attending Redeemer Lutheran Church and cultivating close friendships.

As a mother and homemaker, Ruth emphasized love for family and being kind to others. Sundays often included going to church and playing board games as a family. Ruth nursed her daughter Holly through a nearly fatal bought of Grave’s disease during her senior year of high school. When finances became tight, Ruth worked as a sales associate at JC Penny’s in the boy’s department, which she quite enjoyed and continued for 20 years. Ruth cheered for Kansas and Duke basketball and especially Denver Broncos football — Ruth and Glen always had a “Broncos’ room” in their home. After retirement and in search of less snow, in 2001, Ruth and Glen moved to Pueblo, Colorado, where they attended Bethany Lutheran Church and Ruth became friends with all of her neighbors.

Ruth’s proudest accomplishments were raising her three children and seeing her grandchildren grow up. Some of her  happiest moments were going to Hollywood with Glen for a television event and meeting the stars including Elizabeth Montgomery of Bewitched, traveling for family reunions and to Florida, and baking cookies such as Norwegian sandbakkels at Christmas. Ruth watched As the World Turns for 54 years and loved the beach, singing, and reading. After Glen died in 2018, she read nearly a book a day, finding the most satisfaction with a good mystery. Ruth always made you feel cared for and was quick to put you on the prayer list for anything greater than driving across town. Today we put Ruth on the prayer list as she embarks on the greatest journey of all, where we trust she can dip her toes in the sand and be surrounded by family.

Left to cherish Ruth’s memory are her children, Darby Miller and husband Tim of Parker, Colorado, and Scott Proescholdbell and wife Rae Jean of Durham, North Carolina; her son-in-law Gary Millar; her grandchildren Amanda Carroll and husband Noah, Karissa Miller, Rachel Miller, Anderson Proescholdbell, and Zamaria Proeschold-Bell; and her great-grandchildren Lincoln Carroll, Ryan Swanson, and Grey Swanson. In addition to her parents, Ruth is predeceased by her husband Glen
Proeschold; her sister Glenda Schulze; her daughter Holly Millar; and her grandson Aaron Swanson.

A memorial service is planned for Monday, February 2, 2026. Service details to follow.

Donations in memory of Ruth may be made to organizations devoted to Parkinson’s disease, such as the
Parkinson’s Foundation, http://www.parkinson.org

To offer an online condolence or share a photo in memory of Ruth Proeschold, please visit www.MontgomerySteward.com