Ruth McGee

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 County School, north of Edgemont, through 8th grade and then graduated from Edgemont High School in 1950, the youngest in her class due to skipping 3rd grade. After high school she worked for 4 years at Black Hills Ordinance Depot in Provo, SD as a clerk and typist. She attended Central Bible College Springfield, MO 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. She put in applications with the deaf and blind schools in Colorado, Montana and South Dakota. Soon, she was hired at the Deaf and Blind School in Colorado Springs, CO where she worked as a dorm supervisor for 5 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, SD and she moved to her new home north of Mule Creek Junction, WY. 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, SD.  She taught elementary school for a total of 33 years at the Cheyenne River County 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" and she enjoyed entertaining guests from many states and several countries. Ruth was a hard worker and kept busy 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; 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 South Seneca Avenue, Newcastle, WY 82701.