Ruth Nitka-Hinds passed away on Saturday, July 7, 2012 after a very brief illness.

She is survived by her three children, Alfred, Earnest and Jessica. Ruth had 5 grandchildren: Gordon, Wilson, Steve, Alex and Hilary.

She was born in Ogden, Utah in 1925 and lived her early years in California. It was here that she got a glimpse of the Hindenberg on its fateful journey to New Jersey. She went to nursing school at the House of Good Samaritan in Los Angeles. This was where Howard Hughes would be admitted during his fits of insanity. Mom always knew when Mr. Hughes was in the House because his food was kept sequestered in his own refrigerator.

While at the House of Good Samaritan she worked in the OR where she met her first husband, Dr. Charles Nitka. This young couple was looking to escape the watchful eyes of their parents so once Dr. Nitka finished his training they moved to the little town of Simla on the eastern plains of Colorado. Together they ran a clinic, did surgery, and started their family; first with Alfred and then later with Earnest. Dr. Nitka, being the only one in the town who knew how to deliver a baby did the honors and was one of many fathers of the future to be in the delivery room. Ruth and the family moved in 1955 to Colorado Springs which at that time had a population of 30,000. That same year Jessica was born.

Ruth had a full and accomplished life. She raised the three children, survived breast cancer and ran a quilt shop. She also wore out two husbands as we like to note. With Dr. Nitka’s death she remarried a year later, Mr. George Hinds. Ruth and George had a wonderful 5 years together. With Charles Nitka she flew in the Concorde at supersonic speeds and with George cruised to Alaska at a somewhat slower pace.

It was said of Ruth that she was constantly improving herself. She was a voracious reader and stayed current with world affairs. She was a woman of few words but those that she spoke contained volumes of wisdom. There will be no burial at Ruth’s request. Donations in Ruth’s name can be made to the American Cancer Society or to the Pioneer’s Museum in Colorado Springs.

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