Ruth Sawdo

Ruth Gertrude Sausaman Sawdo was born April 17, 1932 in Little Rock, Arkansas to Kenneth and Mabel Sausaman. Some of her favorite childhood memories were winning high jump over the boys in school, visiting their Palmer Lake cabin, playing with her dog Sport and the fact that she was teased for being a PK(Preachers Kid). She met Jordan K. Sawdo in 1948 at West High School, as they sat next to each other in alphabetical order in class. They became sweethearts (for almost 70 years). She was the West High Prom Queen of 1950, part of the National Honor Society and contributed her art to the annual.

After her HS graduation she attended Kalamazoo College and Denver University. She finished her teaching degree in 1972 at Metro. Between DU and Metro, Ruth married Jordan in 1952 and they had 4 children. Ruth became very involved in the lives of her children. Ruth and Jordan celebrated their 60th Anniversary in September 2012 and would have been married 65 years this September. Needless to say Jordan, and her family, were a huge part of her life.

Ruth cooked, baked, sewed all the kids clothes, canned, made jam, gardened, hunted fossils, painted, wove rugs, made quilts and traveled to Europe, Australia, Mexico, Costa Rica and all over the Southwest US. She even taught a combined 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade class in Adelaide, Australia on Teacher Exchange for one year and was a fabulous ambassador for the US.

Ruth taught 4th grade at McElwain Elementary from 1972-1992. There she started the movement to introduce the Stegosaurus as the Colorado State fossil, with her 4th grade students, as part of a unit teaching students how to pass a bill. They lobbied both houses, wrote numerous letters, presented to the legislature and after a few years the Stegosaurus became the Colorado State Fossil by executive order of Governor Lamm. Her name appears in the history books. She was Honorable Mention for Teacher of the Year in 1983.

After retirement she continued teaching students at both the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and the Adams County Museum, where she was the weaving loom expert.

She was a devoted mother and wife. She was always positive, caring and loving. She always gave to others and was very open minded, understanding and respectful of all cultures and people. She was fun-loving, active, giving, and beautiful. She loved all of her students, friends, family and her husband very much.

She is survived by her husband Jordan, 4 children and their spouses, 5 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren, who will miss her immensely.