Ruth Ellen Wurts of Grand Junction died Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2002, in Grand Junction. She was 82.

She was born July 15, 1920, in Rifle to Frank and Cora Wires Johnston. She was raised in the Rifle and Glenwood Springs areas and graduated in 1938 from Garfield County High School in Glenwood Springs.

She married Creger Westley on May 21, 1943. He was killed in a plane crash on Sept. 11, 1947.

With her children, she settled in Glenwood Springs and worked for the Garfield County clerk and recorder.

She married Louis Wurts in 1952.

She worked for Garfield County Abstract Company, now Stewart Title, for more than 20 years.

After retirement, Mr. and Mrs. Wurts moved to Grand Junction in 1978.

Mrs. Wurts’ greatest love was her family. Her home was a haven for her kids and their friends, and her grandchildren loved to visit and have Granny’s cooking.

She enjoyed camping and fishing, especially on the Flat Tops, and gardening and canning.

Mrs. Wurts was preceded in death by sisters Alice Henry and Ethel Reynolds.

She is survived by her husband, Louis Wurts of Grand Junction; sisters Eunice Kissee and Edith Rees of Grand Junction, and Mary McNulty of Glenwood Springs; daughters and son-in-law Raelyn Westley of New Castle, and Cydne and Ed Sprung of Grand Junction; son and daughter-in-law Craig and Kathy Westley of Glenwood Springs; grandchildren Lindsie Fagan of San Antonio, Trenton Llewellyn, Travis Llewellyn and Jess Westley, all of Glenwood Springs, Adam Brudigam of Seattle, and Allyson Brudigam of Grand Junction; seven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19, at Martin’s Mortuary in Grand Junction.

Tucker’s Montrose Valley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.