1916 - 2006
Part-time Steamboat Springs resident Ruth Hagemeister died peacefully Aug. 18, 2006, in her home in Sausalito, Calif. She was 89. Ruth was born in 1916 in Oxford, Ohio, and spent her childhood in Ohio, Kentucky and Brevard, N.C.
As a young woman, Ruth lived and worked in New York City and joined the American Red Cross in Europe during World War II. In the early 1950s she moved to San Francisco where she met her husband, Hans Hagemeister. They were married in 1955 and in 1956 moved to a beautiful home in Sausalito overlooking the San Francisco Bay. She lived there for 50 years and raised two daughters, Susie and Hansi.
In 1967, Hans and Ruth fulfilled one of Hans' dreams and bought the Hitchin's Ranch in the Elk River Valley. In 1976 they built a small log cabin on the hill overlooking the Elk River. It brought them great pleasure to come out to the ranch every summer and winter and enjoy the beauty of Routt County. Steamboat was a magical place for both of them, and Ruth enjoyed it with her family after Hans died in 1995.
Though born in New Jersey, Hans had been raised in Berlin and fought for the Americans in Italy with the 10th Mountain Division.
He lived an international life, which allowed both Hans and Ruth to travel extensively. They went to Italy every year for 30 years.
They also explored more exotic places like the Amazon, Russia and Turkey.
Ruth had a wonderful dry sense of humor. She laughed easily and was a dignified, graceful, intelligent and loving woman. She was a fabulous cook, created a beautiful home and liked nothing more than to go on an adventure and see the world. She lived a good, long and rewarding life, and she left life as she had lived it.
Ruth is survived by her two daughters, Hansi and Susie; and two grandsons, Luke and Shane. Her family and loved ones will carry her and many beautiful memories in their hearts forever.
