Ruth Josephine Reed

Ruth Josephine Mantooth McCalla Reed passed away on Monday, January 12th, 2015 at the age of 97. She was born December 16, 1917 in Sedan, Kansas to Franklin Brooks and Sylvia Straight Mantooth, one of ten siblings. She graduated from Leon High School in 1935 and graduated from nurses training at Mercy Hospital in Independence, KS in 1939. Ruth was a Kansas state-registered nurse for fifty years, as well as a volunteer and member of the Mercy Hospital Auxiliary in Independence, KS; Natrona County Hospital Auxiliary in Casper, WY; and Poudre Valley Hospital Auxiliary in Fort Collins, CO. Ruth was an avid reader, enjoyed golf, music, the theatre, and sports of any kind (as long as it was the home team). She was fortunate to travel extensively in her retirement. Ruth was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church – an active participant in United Methodist Women and a Sunday school teacher. At First United Methodist in Fort Collins, she was a member of the Clipper Class and Circle Vashti. She was also a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood - Fort Collins Chapter. Ruth was a prolific letter writer who always remembered important occasions and sent family and friends cards commemorating birthdays, holidays, and graduations – always with a heartfelt note, and often a little cash. Ruth’s family and friends were the most important part of her life and legacy. She was married to Homer C. McCalla (1938-d.1962) and Wayne D. Reed (1966-d.1998). She is survived by her sister, Maxine Mantooth Mitchell of Caldwell, KS and her brother, Charles Mantooth of Woodland Hills, CA as well as four children: Sylvia McCalla Manley of Freedom, NH; Clifton (Kip) McCalla of Fort Collins, CO; Dorita Reed Wendt of Port Angeles, WA; Larry Reed of Columbia, SC; and their families – including eleven grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her daughter Susan McCalla Terry; sisters Lela Huddleston and Teena Brown; brothers Ivan Mantooth, Kenneth Mantooth, Donald Mantooth, David (Dean) Mantooth, and Erwin (Ed) Mantooth. She was a woman who touched many lives through the years and her loss will be felt by those who experienced her warmth and affection. Burial will take place Tuesday, January 20th, 2015 at Mount Hope Cemetery in Independence, KS at 11 am. Webb & Rodrick Chapel is handling the arrangements. There will be a celebration of Ruth’s life in Fort Collins in early summer for family and friends. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to First United Methodist Church (http://www.fcfumc.net/, 1005 Stover St., Fort Collins, CO 80524); P.E.O. Sisterhood of Fort Collins (http://www.fcpeoreciprocity.com/ and http://www.peointernational.org/contributions-peo-foundation); or a charity of your choice.

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Ruth Josephine Reed

December 16, 1917 - January 12, 2015