Ertel Funeral Home
Cortez, Colorado


Funeral services for Ruth Edna Wilderson will be held Friday, Feb. 23, at 1 p.m., in the Ertel Memorial Chapel. Interment will follow at Summit Ridge Cemetery. A visitation is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 22, at Ertel's, between 3 and 7 p.m.

Ruth was born on Jan. 23, 1915 to Nick and Florence (Thomas) Holliday in Torrence County, N.M. She passed away on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2001 at the Southwest Memorial Hospital at the age of 86.

Ruth's father was in the saw milling business, which moved their family several times. She married Rufus Wilderson on Aug. 10, 1932 in Aztec, N.M and they settled most of their married life in Montezuma County.

She was a devoted wife and mother, always working hard for her family. She loved to cook and bake. This love enabled her to work as a cook in restaurants and she eventually managed several. Upon retiring, she continued to bake for others. She loved to work in her garden and keep a house full of beautiful plants. She gave her life to the Lord at the Baptist Church in Dolores and loved to serve others.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory; sons, Orval (Helen) Wilderson of Montrose, Colo. and Ralph Wilderson of Dolores; daughter, Geneva (Gordon) John of Beaver City, Neb.; sisters, Hazel Wilderson of Summit Ridge and Opal (Dave) Adair, of Milton-Freewater, Ore.; brother, Clyde (Earlene) Holliday of John Day, Ore.; 11 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and several great-great grandchildren. She also leaves many beloved nieces and nephews and her dear friends Bob and Lois Koker who have given her much tender loving care in the past several years.

She was preceded in death by her husband in 1985; her daughter, Ruth Opal Gilliland in 1991; sister, Ida Lattin; brothers, Tobe, Ralph, and Ira Holliday; and great-grandson, Ryan Skinner.

Memorial contributions may be made at Dolores State Bank, to the Holliday Scholarship Fund.

Arrangements are being handled through the Ertel Funeral Home.