Ruth E. Smelser

Smelser, Ruth FITCHBURG- Ruth Smelser, of Fitchburg, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. As a young woman, Ruth studied painting under Arthur Roy Mitchell, a well know Western artist, at Trinidad State Junior College. At TSJC she met Peter Smelser, a student in the gunsmithing school. Ruth and Peter were married on Aug. 26, 1948, in Albuquerque N.M., and embarked on a journey as partners for the next 67 years. Their first adventure was moving 200 miles north to Boulder, Colo., where both worked for the National Bureau of Standards for several years. Ruth enrolled at the University of Colorado in the early 1960's and earned a B.A. in Fine Arts and an M.A. in Anthropology. As part of her studies, Ruth did field work in British Columbia, studying and documenting Northwest Coast Indian rock art. She also spent a year on the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana researching tribal attitudes towards traditional and modern family planning. Ruth was intelligent, persistent, and curious about many things in the world. She was an avid reader and writer, participating in writers' groups and penning two mystery novels of her own. She had a wealth of knowledge about history, culture, archeology, and art. She enjoyed teaching classes in anthropology and geography at the University of Colorado, the University of SW Missouri, Drury College, Evangel College, and Texas A&M. After their children Peg and Daniel graduated from high school, Ruth and Peter decided they would like to raise Registered Swiss Alpine dairy goats. Their original dairy operation was near Springfield, Mo., where they lived for nine years. They then moved to Palo Alto, Calif., where Peter worked at the Stanford Linear Accelerator. After Peter took a position at Texas A&M, they started a second goat dairy near Bryan, Texas. At the Texas farm, Ruth took lead role in designing the energy-efficient home the couple built there. In addition to helping Pete raise healthy prize-winning dairy goats, Ruth became an expert in goat genetics, pygmy goats, and caprine art. She wrote and self-published a newsletter which had a loyal following for several years: The Goat Gab Rag, full of articles about goat-related history, art, and literature. She collected goat art and was expert at finding that collectible gem in the most unlikely of places. Ruth remained an artist who loved to work in any medium, but especially drawing and painting. In later years, despite many physical infirmities, she enjoyed taking art classes at the Fitchburg Senior Center and participating in projects and juried shows of the Wisconsin Regional Art Program. Ruth is survived by her husband, Peter Smelser; daughter Peg Smelser (Jody McCann); son, Daniel (Londa) Smelser; grandsons, Lucas McCann and Kyle McCann (Alexis Travis); great-granddaughter, Maeve Lust-McCann; and her beloved cat, Jasmine who visited her one last time at the Hospice. Ruth was determined to live life to the fullest in spite of limitations due to her many medical problems. Our thanks go to the staff of the University Wisconsin, Home Health United, BrightStar, Capitol Lakes, and Agrace HospiceCare who helped Peter care for Ruth. Peg and Daniel send special thanks to their father Peter for his dedication and hard work in keeping Ruth healthy, comfortable, and as independent as possible during the last years of her life. They were a good team throughout their long adventure. Memorial donations may be made in Ruth's name to the Wisconsin Regional Artists Association. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420