Ruth A. (Hill) Cheskaty
Marriages
Wes Cheskaty
Obituaries
The Daily Sentinel page 6A - July 24, 2022
On a cold January day,
on a Leroux Creek ranch,
Ruth entered the world.
The second daughter
(Helen was 4 years older)
to James Jr. and Ladine
Annie (Cox) Hill. The Hills
were longtime residents of the Leroux Creek/Hotchkiss
area and Leroux Creek, the Hill ranch and summer cow
camps would provide the backdrop for some of Ruth’s
happiest times and fondest memories; riding her pony,
Beauty, and exploring and having adventures with her
friends, Louise and Charlotte. She also enjoyed her time
at the one room schoolhouse and spending time at her
“hooti-i-kie” (the secret place she and friends plotted
their futures and ate after schools snacks their mothers
had packed).
Later, Ruth made her way to Western State College
and earned her BA degree and later moved to Grand
Junction, where she and her Mother owned and operated
the Blue Crane Restaurant on Main Street. It was there
she met her husband, Wes Cheskaty, and shortly after
they married they moved into the house where she lived
until his death in 1994 and beyond, to her own passing
in the home she made for nearly 70 years. Early after
establishing their home, Ruth and Wes had two sons,
Jim (1954, wife Janet, GJ) and Rex (1957, wife Kristen,
grandson JD, Salida).
In her professional life, Ruth started teaching PE and
English at the old Grand Junction Jr. High on Chipeta.
During the summers, she continued her education at
Western State, earning her Masters in Guidance and
Counseling. When new Jr. Highs were built she moved
to West Jr. High, where she worked with many friends
and colleagues to get the new school off to a great start.
The “Westies” would remain apart of her life till the
end. Then to Grand Junction High School, from where
she retired. She made many wonderful and life-long
friends among the co-workers, staff and students at all
three schools, many will recall “Mrs. C” with fondness.
After her retirement, Ruth didn’t let any grass grow
under feet. She managed to travel a bit — a trip to China
with Rex; Australia with her sister, Helen, Loyd, Alice
and Steve and Sue; trips to Canada and Washington D.C.
with brother-in-law, Jack Cheskaty and his wife, Sharon
are a few that come to mind and served as fodder for
many a tall tale and happy memory.
Ruth was a woman of faith and taught Sunday School
at her church and volunteered for many faith related
activities in her later years, including helping serve
breakfast to many R-5 students while her church and
the old R-5 were neighbors on Grand Ave. And there
were the annual “girls only” fishing trips organized by
her sister, Helen and niece, Alice to the backcountry
between Powderhorn and Lake City... but those are
fishing tales for another time. Ruth also had a routine
of walking, early in the morning, at the track in Lincoln
Park and then going to have coffee, a sausage biscuit,
and chewing over the news of the day with her buddies
at Mickey Ds kept her mind sharp for quite awhile.
Ruth also touched many through her work with the
jail ministry at the Mesa County jail. She worked hard
to encourage “her girls and women” to know Jesus,
exercise their free will and develop and grow their faith
and many did. She enjoyed her time working with Ray
Peterson there and other community efforts like Angel
Tree and holiday food baskets.
Ruth had many lifelong friends and contacts who
stayed in touch until her departure. Many may have good
memories of the many pancake suppers, the milkshake
and hamburger (or chili) gatherings or fish fry dinners.
Ruth was quite the hostess. A slice of her coconut cream
pie and a cup of coffee was always a treat.
The family would like to make special mention of her
caregivers in the final years, Lizeth, Rhonda and Kathy.
Thank you so much for the special kindness, care and
connections you brought to caring for Mom! You made
it possible to keep Mom’s wish to stay in her home and
we will treasure all you brought to her final time. Mom
had several friends and clergy who kept watch too.
Thanks to all of you and especially June, Jan and Hope.
You are dears. Again thanks and deepest appreciation
to all Mom’s friends and acquaintances. Your visits and
messages meant a lot. Also gratitude to her home Bible
study friends. We know she enjoyed her fellowship with
you all. Longtime family friends, Bus and Ida, Gene
and Grace and Tom and Norma all preceded her. Ruth
was blessed to have great neighbors, Anita, Rosa and
the recently departed Helen Wagner. Thank you all for
keeping a watchful eye on each other through all the
years.
Like the songs lyrics, “Down in the Lonesome Draw,”
“...it’s a short time here and a long time gone...”
Ruth tried to make the most of her time. She would
say take care of each other. David keep an eye out for
that rope... she’s waiting to pull you up ;-).
Memorial service July 30, 1:00 p.m. at the First
Baptist Church, 7th and Grand, Grand Junction.
If you would like to make a memorial contribution,
Ruth suggested FBCGJ (First Baptist Church GJ) or
Roice-Hurst Humane Society.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be
shared at www.callahan-edfast.com for the Cheskaty
family.
