Ruth Elizabeth (Espinoza) Gonzales

04.06.26

Ruth Elizabeth (Espinoza) Gonzales, age 74, passed away peacefully at her home in Trinidad, Colorado, on April 6, 2026. She was born on January 11, 1952, in La Junta, Colorado, the daughter of Benjamin Espinoza and Katherine (Lovato) Espinoza Ortiz.

Ruth grew up in Ogden, Utah where she attended Weber High School. She married Olegario Gonzales in 1970 (later divorced), and together they had four beautiful children.

Ruth dedicated her life to the Lord Jesus Christ and was a faithful member of the First Pentecostal Church in Trinidad, CO. She loved to sing and play the piano and organ. She also enjoyed teaching Sunday School, where her students cherished the way, she brought the Bible stories to life in an exciting and meaningful way - often with the added bonus of delicious snacks. She was a godly woman and a prayer warrior.

She deeply loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Many cherished hours were spent in her living room, filled with laughter, conversation, games, and storytelling. She enjoyed cooking, baking, reading her Bible, sewing, working on crossword puzzles, and creating junk journals.

Ruth was a caring and loving woman who touched the lives of everyone she met. She became “Grandma Ruth” to many beyond her own family.

Ruth is survived by her father Benjamin Espinoza; her children, Serena (Erik) Johnson, Sean (Amy) Gonzales, Adrian (Dana) Gonzales, and Candace (Ray) Jolma; her siblings, Julia (John) Karlin, Christine Montez, Charles Espinoza, Katy (Todd) Perkins, Richard Martino, and Dale Martinez; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her mother Katherine Ortiz; her niece Atayvia Gutierrez; and her great-grandson Leyton Jolma.

A viewing will be held at Comi Funeral Home in Trinidad, CO on Thursday, April 16, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

A funeral service will be held at the First Pentecostal Church in Trinidad, CO on Friday, April 17, at 9:00 a.m., followed by interment at 11:30 a.m.

We would like to thank nurses, Tammy & Fay, from the Sangre de Cristo Community Care Hospice Center, and all the ladies who volunteered their time from the First Pentecostal Church, who showed such tender, loving care for Ruth during her last days.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Comi Funeral Home of Trinidad, CO.