Alamosa Resident Ruth Merlene Quintana entered the gates of heaven on November 26, 2022. Ruth was born January 23, 1948, in Monte Vista Colorado to Benjamin Pacheco and Beatrice Chavez Pacheco. She passed peacefully at Parkview Hospital with her children by her side.
Raised in Saguache, Co. Ruth became the mother figure and caregiver to her younger siblings after the untimely passing of her mother in 1971.
While raising 5 small children of her own, Ruth became involved in the education system as an aide in the Mountain Valley School bilingual bi-cultural program.
Ruth married her beloved husband, Ernest Quintana on August 17, 1980, in Craig, Colorado where she worked as a housekeeper and an Avon Lady. In her spare time, she enjoyed camping with her children, crocheting, ceramics, cross-stitch and plastic canvas. A dedicated Broncos fan, she never missed a game and cheered them on, win or lose.
In 1985, Ruth returned to her roots in Saguache Co to finish raising her kids. A devoted mother, Ruth attended every sporting event for her children and never missed an award ceremony. Ruth played an integral role in reviving the school’s Booster Club program. Donating her time, she organized athletic banquets and fundraisers where her homemade tortillas were a crowd favorite. During this time she worked as a childcare provider and was fondly known as "Grandma Ruth" to many children in the Saguache area.
After raising her children, Ruth continued her caregiver roll and became a Certified Nurses Aide and later, a Restorative Nurse Aide. Ruth's patience and caregiving nature showed in the many elderly folks she took care of with compassion and dignity.
Ruth's children would like her to be remembered for her love of family and her love of the Lord Jesus Christ her Savior. Many will remember Ruth as a Vacation Bible School teacher. She returned every year until her health prevented her from doing so. We are comforted by the many lives she touched, teaching God's word.
Ruth spent her final years in Alamosa Colorado, devotedly caring for the love her life, Ernest, and enjoying her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren She was excited to add two new great-grandchildren in the coming months that she now has the privilege to watch over. She continued to love the outdoors with her kids and grandkids.
Ruth was reunited in heaven with her parents, Ben and Beatrice Pacheco, her beloved Husband Ernest Quintana, sister Vicky Fresquez, Brothers Al Pacheco and Daniel Pacheco, her niece Shawna Rice, nephew Daniel Montoya and brother-in-law Richard Love.
Ruth will be greatly missed by her children Carla Dupont (Anthony) of Alamosa, Co., Abel Quintana Jr. Of Salida. Co.., Augustine Quintana (Debbie) of Salida, Co., Augustina Quintana, of Castle Rock and Ben Quintana (April) of Saguache.
She will continue to watch over her 11 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.
Ruth is survived by her sister Helen Beltran of New Mexico, sister Virginia Love of Excelsior Springs, Mo. Sister Elizabeth Everist of Temple Texas, sister Janice Culp of Excelsior Springs, MO., and several nieces and nephews.
A private family service will be held at a later date.
A memorial contribution can be made to the American Diabetes Association.
