Steamboat Pilot & Today

Ruth L. Harris of Sun City, Ariz., died April 21, 2001, in Sun Health Boswell Memorial Hospital. She was 88.

She was born Jan. 29, 1913, in Spokane, Wash. to Mary Dallas (Gage) Larimer and Osborn Hendricks Larimer. Ruth grew up in California, graduated from UCLA and worked as a bookkeeper.

She married Ramsay S. Harris in Las Vegas April 2, 1938. They moved to Colorado shortly thereafter as Ramsay was involved in the coal business at Haybro. In 1942, they moved to Steamboat Springs and established their home on the corner of Fourth and Oak streets. They had three daughters.

While in Steamboat Springs, Ruth was instrumental in upgrading the Steamboat Springs Library before it became the Bud Werner Memorial Library. She was an active volunteer in several organizations, including Band Parents and the Republican Party. She was a member of the P.E.O., the Fun Club and a bridge group.

Ruth always looked forward to returning to cool Colorado during the summer months, and after Ramsay's retirement they spent 15 summers at The Timber Run.

Her hobbies included collecting teddy bears, crystal figurines and Christmas ornaments. It would take her days to decorate the large family tree. When friends would stop by to see the fully decorated tree, she enjoyed telling them stories about each ornament.

In 1961, they moved to Phoenix, Ariz., at which time Ruth joined the Heard Museum Guild, devoting numerous hours either as a volunteer or as an employee to the Heard Museum. Her greatest enjoyment was working in the Heard Library. Ruth's quiet, dedicated service of nearly 40 years was acknowledged when she was made an honorary life member of the museum, its highest award.

A devoted wife and mother, Ruth is survived by her husband of 63 years; three daughters, Susi Crowner and husband Terry of Yampa, Barbara Burklow of San Diego, Calif., and Joanne Hanson of Glendale, Ariz.; one grandson, Kip Crowner of Aurora; three great-grandchildren, Melissa, Rachel and Scott Crowner; a nephew, David Larimer of San Diego, Calif.; a cousin, Betty Grote of Boulder; and special friend, Carol Ruppe of Tempe, Ariz.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Robert Larimer. A celebration of her life and entombment were at Sunland Mortuary in Sun City, Ariz.

Memorial contributions in Ruth's name may be sent to the Heard Museum Library, 2301 North Central Ave., Phoenix, Ariz. 85004.