RUTH ALTA (DUTTON) McGEE
May 31, 1933–April 9, 2023
Ruth Alta (Dutton) McGee, age 89, of Lusk, Wyoming, passed away late Sunday evening, April 9, 2023, at Providence Hospice Place in Waco, Texas.
Memorial services will be held at a later date.
Ruth was born May 31, 1933, in Edgemont, South Dakota, the daughter of Henry and Alta (Horsely) Dutton. As a child she attended the Marietta Country School, north of Edgemont, through eighth grade, then graduated from Edgemont High School in 1950.
After high school she worked for four years at Black Hills Ordinance Depot in Provo, South Dakota, as a clerk and typist. She attended Central Bible College Springfield, Missouri, and graduated with a major in Bible studies. While in Springfield she took sign language classes.
After graduation she had a calling to work with the deaf and was hired at the Deaf and Blind School in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she worked as a dorm supervisor for five years.
It was in Colorado Springs where Ruth met DuWayne McGee, who was stationed at Ft. Carson Army Base. They got married on July 2, 1963, in Edgemont. It was shortly after marriage she began her teaching career. She taught while she slowly worked on getting her degree in elementary education, graduating from Black Hills Teaching College in Spearfish, South Dakota. She taught elementary school for a total of 33 years at the Cheyenne River Country School, Lusk Elementary School and Edgemont Elementary School, before retiring in 1992.
Ruth had always had a dream of having a teepee bed and breakfast. After retiring her dream came true and she started her seasonal teepee bed and breakfast called “The Sage and Cactus Village.” She enjoyed entertaining guests from many states and several countries. Ruth enjoyed sewing, crocheting, knitting, raising sheep, and helping her husband on the ranch. She loved spending time with her family, especially her nieces and nephews. She will surely be missed and her greatest honor was having her students come see her after retirement and express their thanks for being such a wonderful teacher.
Ruth is preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, DuWayne McGee of 58 years; her brother, Dave Dutton; and sisters, Bess King and Rose Glaus.
Survivors include her daughter, Karen Jupe and husband James of Mt. Calm, Texas; two granddaughters, Nikki Jupe and Krystal Clouse and husband Clayton; great-grandchildren, Maddy, Amira, Ryker, and Derrick; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Honorary urn bearers will be Kenny Glaus, David Glaus, John Glaus, Paul Kirkpatrick, David Jupe and Mike Jupe.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Assembly of God Church, 216 S. Seneca Avenue, Newcastle, WY 82701.
