Ruta Spons Obituary

I'm so saddened to learn about Ruta's death; I send heartfelt sympathy to her family.  

I was a childhood friend of Ruta's.  Our birthdays were two days apart, so today would have been Ruta's 80th birthday. Ruta's was easy to member: 4/4/44.  We were both part of the robust Latvian community in Minneapolis in the 1950s, and I was always happy to go along with my parents to one of their many parties for adults because I knew Ruta would be there. Latvians in that era rarely used baby sitters, but I don't remember any other children at these parties, just Ruta and me. 

After we each had arrived and separately greeted (solemnly shaken hands with) all the adults in the room and did the compulsory bob/curtsy that all little Latvian girls did to accompany the handshake in that era, Ruta and I would retreat to some out-of-sight spot (like under a dining-room table if it had a floor-length cloth over it, or to a remote room), and we would talk and laugh endlessly. I recall movies and movie stars being a big topic.  We would have been about 6 to 12 years old. One of us would bring along paper dolls that we played with.  We remained friends through the time we were confirmed in the Latvian church at around 16 (and we had attended the same Latvian Saturday school during the preceding years, almost always making sure to sit next to each other). 

Ruta's future sister-in-law Brigita was my first Latvian friend after our arrival in America in 1949, when my parents and I landed in Minnesota, on a farm, contracting to do one year's worth of farm-hand work as the price of admission to America. My parents soon connected with other Latvians who had done the same, to escape Displaced-Person status in Europe, and the impossibility of returning to Latvia, after the end of WW2.

Rest in peace, and happy birthday, dear Ruta.  We had a good run with our Latvian-American start in life, in spite of the life-disrupting geopolitical hardships that our parents had faced and prevailed over.  My life during that era was better because we were friends. --Mara Robezgruntnieks-Niels

I met Ruta at Colorado Mountain Bank and visited with her on many occasions. She was always very kind and respectful to me. I will miss seeing Ruta's smiling face and I will miss our visits. She was so proud of her family. My thoughts and prayers are with Ruta's family.

Gundi,
Please accept my condolences. I wish I could have done more to help you and your family. If I can do anything now, just let me know. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

I have really enjoyed the time that I have worked and known Ruta. She was a very special lady in my heart that always uplifted everybody with her sweet smile and laughter. I will really miss her but she'll always be in my heart as with many others. I hope that we will all remember how thoughtful and wonderfull she was to every one of us. It was such a pleasure to know this beautiful lady and how much she enjoyed life.
Love ya all
Susan

We did not have the pleasure of knowing Ruta, but we do know Ivars. Ivars has been a steadfast and true friend to our families. I am sure that Ruta was and is proud of him.

Gunars Spons and family,
We are truly saddened by the death of your loved one, your wife, Ruta. We will keep you in our prayers and may God bless you and your family during this time of loss.
Love, your friends from the Test Center.

My thoughts and prayers are truly with you and I wish you strengh in the days to come. Ruta was a special woman for whom I had the utmost respect. At times, she had words for me that would have made my own mother proud and I have missed that from her. Her presence has been a blessing in many different ways, to many different people and her smile, her knowledge and her grace will be sorely missed.

How true the saying that God calls his Angels home when needed, for Ruta was truly an Angel. From the moment I met her I knew she carried a special light in this World, and always had a smile for everyone. She was just as strong when you needed a "champion" in your corner. The supporter, the teacher, the disiplinarian, and most of all the friend with the shoulder always there for you. I enjoyed working with her and feel honored to have known her and to say she was my friend. Gunars & family- Thank you for sharing Ruta with so many, and know so many more have been touched by her love, care, and compassion.
Ruta-
Save a seat for me there in Heaven, I'll bring breakfast. :)

Gunars & Family,
Wayne and I are so sorry to hear of the passing of your wife/love one. May you know that you are in our prayers and in God's hands.
Wayne and Judy Stadler

Gundi, Ivars and Guns - Sending you much love, and remebering the wonderful spirit of Ruta. I think of the Eskimo proverb: “Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy.” May the stars shine brightly in the Colorado sky for you.

From the extended family in Minnesota, we send our deepest sympathies to Gunars, Gundega and Ivars. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

I have been privileged to have worked with Ruta over the past few years. I know her to have been genuinely kind, extremely thoughtful, and extraordinarily loyal. She will certainly be missed by the entire staff. I will especially miss her sense of humor. God bless her family and friends.

Ruta was a wonderful person who brought laughter and joy into the lives of those she touched. She was the best manager I have ever worked for and I feel blessed that I was able to get to know her. She will be missed, but never forgotten.

Dear Gunars & Family,
Denzel and I send our love and sympathy.

Our prayers are with you and your family. Ruta was truly a woman of grace and strength. I was blessed to know her and appreciated her wisdom and humor. She was one of a kind and will be missed greatly.

Ruta, Ruthie, blithe spirit, dancing queen! We were sisters-in-law for almost 30 years. Your wisdom even as a very young woman was inspiring to me. And you were so lovely, a true Latvian princess. I will miss you, Ruta, and I believe we will meet again. May your family feel your love around them, soft and clear, always.

Ruta was a special woman who touched all who knew her in an unforgetable way. Her kindness and compassion toward people was fathomless. She is deeply missed.

Dear Gunars and family,
I was not privileged to know Ruta, but by reading all the guest entries I can see what a wonderful person she was and why you loved her so much. I know you have many wonderful memories of her and will miss her greatly. Look out for each other!

Life was cut far too short for someone who gave so much of herself and was respected by so many. Ruta was a great example of how we all should take life and live it to the fullest every day. She taught me so much about trust and believeing in ones self. She was tenacious when it came time to stand up to what she truly believed in with such spirit and dignity. But she also had a humorous side that would come out from time to time. I was blessed with the chance to know Ruta as my friend and my superior. You only get that once in a lifetime. We lost one of our own, but God gained an "angel." My wish to all her family,friends and loved ones is to know she will always be there lifting us up and guiding us as she always has, just in a different spirit.

All Our Love

Wishing you peace that only comes from God who loves you and holds you near Him in you sorrow. With deepest sympathy and prayers the Maal Family

You are in our prayers during this difficult time.

I was always happy to get to talk to Ruta at work. She had such a wonderful sense of humor and we enjoyed "work humor". I am so thankful to have known her and she will always be part of our family at CMB. To her family, I send my prayers of loving care and God Bless.

Knowing Ruta has been the best blessing God has ever given me. She taught me how to a woman of courage, strength, grace and excellence and for that I will be forever grateful. Thank you for sharing Ruta with me and with everyone whose life she touched. Please know that prayers for your comfort and strength are lifted daily as you go through this valley.

Ruta was a friend and a wonderful business partner. She will truly be missed.

It is with a heavy heart that write to you and your family at this time of grief. After retiring from TTC it was my hope that you and Ruta would have had so many happy times together. But, it is my hope that the Lord God will comfort you at this time and reveal himself to you in a special way.

Ruta was always so warm, kind and sweet to me. Taking the time to speak to me in English and including me. I always felt special with her. What an amazing gift. She will be missed.

Although I was only blessed for a short period of knowing and working with Ruta, I did get to know her as a most understanding and kind person. My life is better for knowing her and I will miss her greatly.

Ruta will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known her.

I am so sorry for your loss. Condolences to the family.We will remember her always for she was a loving and caring person. Not only was she a wonderful boss at Colorado Mountain Bank, but a good friend as well. I will miss her dearly. Thoughts and prayers are with her.

We read with sadness of the loss of one of us.