Ruth Mary Malott

Ruth Mary Malott, 97, of La Junta, passed away peacefully on January 30, 2019. She was born to Thomas Ellis and Nancy Ann (Sturges) Dick on January 12, 1922 in rural Rocky Ford, Colorado. Ruth graduated from Rocky Ford High School in 1939 where she trained as a secretary/stenographer. She worked for seven years at Farm Security Administration which is now part of the Farm Service Agency. Ruth married Charles Bernard “Barney” Malott in 1947 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Parish House in La Junta, Colorado.

Ruth was a farm housewife who oversaw many of the day-to-day business activities of the family farm while also raising three children. She also held periodic secretarial jobs over the years. Ruth was a life-long learner. She took classes at Otero Junior College, tackled many literary classics on her own, and challenged herself by completing the Pueblo Chieftain’s daily crossword puzzle. Ruth also spent several years writing a four-volume unpublished autobiography, which was meant to provide a written legacy of her life experiences. Most importantly, Ruth was a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who was always thinking of how she could help her family in times of need.

Ruth was very proud of her Cherokee Indian heritage. She held a Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood, which certified her tribal membership in the Cherokee Nation. Her children and grandchildren also hold this certificate. Her paternal great-grandmother, Susan Downing Dick, was a survivor of the Trail of Tears.

Ruth is survived by her three children, Emily (Rick) White of Casa Grande, AZ; Jeanne McAllister of La Junta; and Ted (Debbie) Malott of La Junta; five grandchildren, Brian (Kristin) McAllister of Colorado Springs, CO; Stephanie (Scott) Amrhein of Swink; Erin White (William Burwell) of Delta, CO; Holli Malott of Raleigh, NC; and Alison White of Casa Grande, AZ; five great-grandchildren, Brandon and Tyler Amrhein, Hayley and Chase Burwell, and Claire McAllister. She was preceded in death by her husband, Barney; her parents, Thomas and Nancy; brothers, Bill and Grover Dick, and her sisters Anna May Montgomery, Evalena Nielsen, and Minnie Elmore.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 4, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. at the St. Andrew's/Holy Cross with The Reverend Jennifer Shadle officiating. Graveside service will be held on Tuesday, February 5, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at the Rocky Ford Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 1586 South. 21st. Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904 or Bonfils Blood Donation, coloradogives.org/Bonfils direct or through the funeral home.

Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.