Ruth Kelder Obituary

Ruth Kelder, 91, of Turk Hollow Road in Halcott Center died peacefully surrounded by her family at her residence Friday October 16, 2020. She was born October 29, 1928 in Windham, daughter of the late Jacob and H. Gertrude Alle.  Ruth was a telephone operator, then a Supervisor for N.Y.Bell while in Windham.  A Halcott resident since 1953, she was employed by the Margaretville Central School for twenty-five years, having retired in 1993.  Ruth began as a cook, and was later promoted to cafeteria manager.  She had excellent skills in time management and finance, and was always mindful and considerate of the employees.  Ruth was an active member of the Halcott United Methodist Church, was church pianist for decades, and volunteered to train lay speakers in area churches.  She had recently been recognized for her countless efforts by being named the first Emeritus Member of the Catskill Hudson District Committee on Lay Servant Ministries.  Ruth was a former member of the Halcott Grange, and enjoyed knitting, crocheting, cooking and baking.  According to her, she had been the Halcott Tax Collector for what seemed like 100 years, and her husband Amos was before her!  Above all, her family was paramount to her, and she was "Gram" to four wonderful grandchildren and two handsome great grandsons.

Surviving are her daughter Pattie Kelder and son Andy Kelder both of Halcott, and son-in-law Rev. Timothy Riss.  Grandchildren: Jonathan and Samuel Riss, Nichole and Rachael Kelder. Great grandsons: Greyson and Booker.  She was predeceased by her husband Amos Kelder in 1976, daughter Janet Kelder Riss in 1998, siblings: Harold, Walter, Austin, Leon, Paul, Ivan, Dorothy (Hanley) and several nieces and nephews.

A Private Service to celebrate the Life of Ruth will be held on Saturday at the E. B. Gormley Funeral Home 87 Main St. Phoenicia .  Friends will be received on Friday evening October 23 from 7-9pm and Saturday morning from 11am to 1pm at the E. B. Gormley Funeral Home.  The family requests that face coverings be worn, and social distancing may limit the gathering capacity at the funeral home.  Ruth had suggested memorial contributions may be made to the Halcott United Methodist Church.  You may share a special memory or condolence with the family on Ruth's Tribute Wall at gormleyfuneralhome.com