Ruth Marian Powell

Ruth Marian Powell, 87, of Denver, passed away December 23, 2014.

She was born February 2, 1927 in Windsor, Colorado, the daughter of John and Mary (Hahn) Miller. She grew up in the town of Windsor as well as on farms in the surrounding area. She was a 1945 graduate of Windsor High School. Like most Americans, she wanted to do her part to help with the war effort. Upon her graduation from Windsor High School, she enlisted in the U. S. Cadet Nurse Corps and attended Presbyterian School of Nursing in Denver for 3 years of nurses training. During 1945, 85% of nursing students in the Unites States were cadet nurses. Though the war ended soon after she enlisted, the U.S decided to have her class complete the training. In 1948 they were the last Presbyterian School of Nursing class to graduate as U.S. Cadets. All total, 124,000 nurses graduated from the Corps program by the time it ended in 1949.

From a story Ruth wrote about the Corps: "Amenities provided were smart uniforms of a gray pin striped suit with a broad brimmed felt hat and a red hat band for the summer or a beret hat for winter, complete tuition, a stipend of $20/month and the promise of "an education for life". The Cadet Nurse Corps provided unprecedented opportunities for women entering the work force for the first time. We lived in the nurses residences that were big homes. Greystone House on the corner of 18th and Williams is still there. Many of us from the Denver area hospital walked to the Children's Hospital for classes that were given by professors from the University of Colorado. The class started with 55 members and 21 graduated. We were committed to serving in the military for 3 years after graduation unless we were married."

Shortly after her graduation, she married Robert Powell, of Denver, Colorado, on October 24, 1948. He was studying at Denver University and they met via a very successful program that brought women from the nurse's school to social events at the all-male Denver University.

Robert got a job running heavy construction equipment and cranes for oil refinery construction in Caracas, Venezuela. Ruth got a job as a typist and receptionist with the same company in Caracas and thus their travels began. Ruth enjoyed telling a Venezuela story about Robert building a shower out behind the hut they were living in. It consisted of a suspended water barrel with a curtain for privacy. Robert was especially proud of being able to provide this amenity for his new wife. The trial run ended in screams when the native population surrounded the shower to peek through the curtain and marvel at the naked woman under the water barrel.

Ruth and Robert returned to the U.S. and traveled far and wide in various house trailers following large construction projects. Some stops along the way were: Kentucky, Wyoming, California, Colorado, Utah, and Oregon. As the size of the family increased, so did the size of the house trailer. All four of their children were born between 1950 and 1957 while enjoying this unique lifestyle which may have led to their children's rambunctiousness and wild enjoyment of their childhood. Finally in 1958, they settled down in a bona fide house in Denver. Ruth returned to nursing in 1969.

Ruth's sister, Eileen, passed away in the 1970's and Ruth missed her dearly.
Upon retiring in the late 1970's, Ruth and Robert traveled again in a travel trailer visiting WWII shipmates, Corps classmates, family and friends. Robert passed away in 2003, the travel trailer was sold and Ruth's travels ended.
Nursing and life took a toll on her body. Though having had 3 artificial hips, an ankle fusion and arthritis throughout her body, she stayed fit in her final years by walking through the grocery store almost every day and climbing the stairs once a week to do her laundry. She lived in a lot of pain in her later years but rarely complained. She wanted to live her final day's at home and felt that if she stopped her exercise program, it would be the end of her staying at home. Some thought she was stubborn. She was successful at living in her home until she passed.

She enjoyed sewing, continuing education, her rose garden, her bird bath, her cats, Zane Grey novels, the challenge of investing in stocks and bonds, telling an occasional story and having the time to read the entire Denver Post every day from which she cut out articles to be distributed to the appropriate person when they stopped by to visit.

Her kind heart and tenacious spirit will be sorely missed.

Ruth is survived by her children, Stephen (Susan) Powell, David Powell, Jean Powell and William Powell; four grandchildren, John Powell, Ian (Mayu) Powell, Simeon (Marissa) Powell, and Allison Powell; brothers, John Miller and Paul Miller; and a sister, Mary Jane Cooley. She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert Holt Powell; sister, Eileen Frank, and her parents.

Memorial contributions may be made to Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301.

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