A private funeral liturgy for Ruth Ellerbeck, 72, will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, October 24, 2020 at Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church in Guernsey, Wyoming with Father Andrew Duncan as the Celebrant. The Vigil for the Deceased will be held at 7:00 P.M. on Friday, October 23, 2020 at Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church.

Both services will be live streamed so those not attending can participate. https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/15418253
 

Inurnment will be held in the Hartville Cemetery near Hartville, Wyoming.

On Monday, October 19, 2020, Ruth Ellerbeck passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family at Memorial Hospital of Converse County in Douglas, Wyoming.

Ruth was born Wednesday, July 21, 1948 in Torrington, Wyoming to Flavio and Mary (Cruces) Martinez.  She was the 8th of 13 children, six boys and seven girls.  Ruth spent her childhood reading, playing and running the hills of Sunrise with her sisters. Many of her favorite childhood memories are of her school days where she was an A student. 

In 1963, Ruth married Ron Martinez and together they had four children.  They lived in Denver, Colorado when the children were young and she cared for other children in their small apartment.  After moving back to Hartville, she worked as a store clerk.  Her favorite job was when she worked with her sister, Helen, and a few close friends at the grocery store, which she always enjoyed.  On days off they would gather their children and make trips out to Guernsey Lake to enjoy the sun, water, and friendship. 

In 1993, she married Dennis Ellerbeck.  They both worked hard until they retired.  Through the years they shared many miles, enjoying camping trips in Wyoming, Montana and Canada. They enjoyed the mountains, wildlife, streams, and lakes.  Some of their favorite camping trips were to Brooks Lake in Dubois, Wyoming where they would meet Dennis’ sister and her husband.   They also took many gambling trips to Jackpot, Nevada and to the Missouri Riverboat casinos where she enjoyed watching Dennis gamble and win big several times.  Watching football and basketball together, including Dennis’ alma mater, Creighton and Peyton Manning, her all-time favorite football player, was also a favorite pastime they shared.  Of course, there were always wagers on the games to keep things exciting. She was a very good cook and fixed many meals for when the family gathered.

In her final years she enjoyed spending time visiting with her children and their families.  She enjoyed reading as long as she could and watching classic TV programs like the Waltons, Little House on the Prairie, The Virginian, and Gunsmoke.

Ruth leaves, to cherish her loving memory, her children, Lori (Robert) Ibarra and Lisa (Cory) Bristow both of Guernsey, David (Michelle) Martinez of Wheatland, Wyoming, and Ronda Paustian of Oreana, Illinois and their families which include 16 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, 11 brothers and sisters, many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dennis Ellerbeck on April 9, 2019; grandson, Vincent Paustian; son-in-law, Mike Smith; and brother, Pete Martinez.

Serving as pallbearers will be Phillip Ibarra, Nathan Bristow, Nigel Bristow, Thomas Ibarra, Michael Ibarra, and Luke Ibarra.

Serving as honorary pallbearers will be James Ibarra and Dominick Ibarra.

Graveside services will be held in the summer of 2021.

So it is with heavy hearts

And tears in our eyes

That we lay her down to rest

And say our last goodbyes

The Gorman Funeral Homes – Platte Chapel of Wheatland is in charge of the arrangements.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.gormanfh.com