Ruth Irene Storey

Ruth Irene Storey, 95, died January 28, 2024, at Primrose Retirement Community in Cheyenne.

She was born January 8, 1929, in Windsor Colorado, to Jacob and Anna (Zwetzig) Zulauf. Her three brothers and two sisters were the first generation on both sides of the family to be born in America. Both parents came as immigrant children with the Germans from Russia. She was raised in a home that also included grandparents George and Charlotte Zulauf. Only German was spoken in the home until the children went to school.

She attended school in Windsor until December of 1944 when the family moved to Cheyenne. Ruthie graduated from Cheyenne High School with the class of 1947. She attended the University of Wyoming for one year where she was a member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority and served on the Board of her dormitory. She then worked for several years in the Dental Clinic of the Veterans Affairs Administration Hospital.

On June 4, 1950, Ruth married Richard Olsen in Cheyenne. The couple had three sons, Chris Richard, James Allan (Jim) and Eric Lee. Eric passed away in 1957 at the age of 14 months. The couple divorced in January of 1969.

December 30, 1972, Ruth married James A. Storey Jr. (Jim) and added three stepchildren to her world, James Arthur III, Virginia Louise (Ginny) and Kimberly Jeanne.

Working years included 21 years with Cheyenne Light, Fuel and Power Company, retiring as Executive Secretary in 1990. After retirement, she served nine years on the Senate Staff during the Wyoming State Legislative Sessions.

Ruth worked on many community endeavors and volunteer efforts throughout her life. She belonged more than 50 years to GFWC Women’s Civic League and to Chapter S. PEO Sisterhood, serving as president of each group. She also served as past president of American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, the Cheyenne Friendship Force, and Cheyenne Tri Delta Alumna.

Cheyenne Frontier Days was special to her, and she served many years as a CFD Art Show volunteer, Buckle Club Member, and most recently the Daisy Bristol Society.

Mrs. Storey formerly was a member of the Wyoming University Alumna and Laramie County Republican Women and First United Methodist Church, where she was part of United Methodist Women and the Prayer Group.

She loved to travel and visit in homes of people in foreign countries, also hosting many foreign guests in her home. She enjoyed the Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra, Civic Center performances, good movies, sports (University of Wyoming and Denver Broncos), art, bridge, and gourmet group. She belonged to the same supper club for more than 60 years.

Survivors include children Chris (Ellen) Olsen and Jim (Nancy) Olsen; stepchildren Jim Storey, Ginny (Mike) Ruckman, Kim Storey; her sister-in-law Jan Zulauf; four grandchildren, six step-grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Jim Storey in 1979, son Eric, brothers Edward Paul Zulauf, Colonel Elmer (E.J.) Zulauf, and Wilbert (Will) Zulauf, sisters Wilma Bloom and Viola Baldwin, sister-in-law Pat Zulauf, brothers-in-law Kenneth Bloom and Cliff Baldwin, and Jack and Sally Storey.

Ruthie was dearly beloved by so many and will continue to touch our hearts.

Expressions of sympathy in Ruth’s memory may be made to the Old West Museum, 4601 North Carey Avenue, PO Box 2720 Cheyenne, WY 82003, or First United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 108 E. 18^th Street, Cheyenne, WY 82001.

Memorial Service will be held at First United Methodist Church on Thursday, February 1, 2024, at 2 p.m.

Burial at Beth El Cemetery.