Jeriann B. Carruthers
Jeri Carruthers was born August 5, 1935, in Atlantic, Iowa, to Harold D. Bowers and Mary L. Wheat. She passed away on February 11, 2026 in Louisville, Colorado. She left behind a legacy of resilience, humor, curiosity, and deep devotion to those she loved. She was raised during World War II, and moved often throughout Iowa, Nebraska, and Missouri where her father owned and operated movie theaters. Through her childhood years, Jeri learned early how to adapt, work hard, and find the fun in almost any situation.
Her family moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma when Jeri was 14 and she met the love of her life, Bob Carruthers, in a high school speech class. They both attended Oklahoma State University where Jeri embraced being a Kappa Kappa Gamma and served on their Advisory Board years later at the University of Colorado. Jeri and Bob had an adventurous partnership from their secret elopement 5 months before their church wedding, to the lean early years of Army life and Bob’s engineering career. They managed to turn tight budgets and family life into stories they laughed about through 69 years of marriage, three children, five grandchildren and six great grandchildren. They moved from Tulsa in 1963 to Brigham City, Utah and then to Boulder, Colorado in 1966 where they stayed until moving to Louisville in 1993. Bob preceded Jeri in death in October of 2024, but their shared stories and traditions continue in their family.
Jeri’s career spanned decades where she worked as an Executive Assistant and Bookkeeper in Boulder at the Colorado Bookstore, the Economics Department, the Economics Institute and the Institute for Behavioral Sciences, all at the University of Colorado. She left a lasting positive impact on those institutions and made life long friends.
Jeri loved to travel, and vacations were truly her happy place. Whether it was a road trip, a visit to see family, or something more far-flung, she relished the planning, the journey, and the stories that came afterward. A highlight of her life was participating in the Semester at Sea program in 1985, which let her see the world from the deck of a ship while working, and meeting people from all over. It suited her and Bob perfectly as they were curious, social, and always ready for the next port.
At home, Jeri was in her element around a card table or a dining table. She really enjoyed playing bridge, mahjong and cribbage—penny a point, with folding money winnings being the very best kind—and she played with a competitive sparkle in her eye. She was an excellent cook who loved to entertain, and some of her favorite evenings were the ones with friends crowded around the table, enjoying great food on the plates, and lively conversations.
Through it all, Jeri was the heart of her family and a loyal friend. She is survived by her brother Steve Bowers (Jo), children Mike Carruthers (Becky Fuchs), Steve Carruthers (Jenna Waters), and Jill Jenkins (Kirk). Jeri will be dearly missed by her grandchildren, Ann Orsinger (Erik Olson), Bryan Carruthers (Caryn), Nat Carruthers (Erin Brady), Reece Jenkins (Yurie Hall), and Erin Jenkins (Cody Dodge), along with her six great-grandchildren.
Jeri will be remembered for her love of family, her delight in seeing the world, her lively card games, her generous table, and the way she made everyone who walked through her door feel like they truly belonged there.
The family would like to thank the Balfour Retirement Community and Tru Care Hospice. A memorial service will be held at St Ambrose Episcopal Church in June. Details to be forthcoming. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St Ambrose Episcopal Church, 7520 S Boulder Rd, Boulder, CO 80303.
