Ruth Ellen Varela

Ruth Ellen Varela (Casteel) was born April 13, 1944 in Bonne Terre, Missouri and went on before her loved ones on September 7, 2014. Ruth attended school in Flat River Missouri, and earned an Associate's degree at Monticello College in Alton, Illinois . She developed a love for Colorado while working at the Grand Lake Lodge during summer breaks from Monticello, and in 1964 transferred to Colorado State University in Fort Collins Colorado. There she met her future husband, Ed Varela, on a blind date in 1964. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Interior Architecture in 1967. They married in 1967 immediately prior to Ed's military activation. Ruth worked at Farmers Insurance Group in Colorado Springs during Ed's military service. Following his release from active duty, Ruth accompanied Ed to many locations throughout the East Coast of the United States between 1970 and 1980 meeting new and dear friends all the while. In 1980 Ed's job brought them to Denver Colorado where she enjoyed many activities, including teacher's assistant, retail sales, mentor, School Parent Senate, and her most cherished work as mother and grandmother. Throughout her life, Ruth earned the love and respect of hundreds of dear close friends whom she cultivated with great care and affection. Ruth is preceded in death by her beloved father and mother Lawrence and Margaret Casteel. She is survived by her husband Edward, their two sons and their spouses; Zachary (Jennifer) and Samuel (Melissa) and eight Varela grand-daughters (Catalin Cora, Gabrielle Ann, Cade Casteel, Sophie Marie Isabel Ellen, Samantha Casteel, Grace Marie, and Ellen Val), along with her sister Lynda Worth Bennett, and her two brothers James Lawrence Casteel and John Curtis Casteel. A vigil will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church, 2746 East Fifth Street Castle Rock, CO 80104 on Friday, September 12 at 6:00 p.m. Remains will be placed at Fort Logan National Cemetery in a private ceremony. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made on her behalf to the National Law Enforcement Memorial, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation or Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.