Ruth Joan Kuhlman, 86 of Sterling, Colorado passed away Tuesday, August 6, 2024. Viewing will be held from 1:00 pm to the funeral service time at 2:00 pm, Sunday, August 18 at First English Lutheran Church in Sterling, Colorado. A reception will follow the service.  Committal will be held at 1:00 pm, Monday, August 19, at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Staging Area A in Denver, Colorado.

Ruth Joan Kuhlman was born on a farm in Winterset, Iowa on 12-7-1937, the fourth child born to Walter and Ruth (Fox) Bruett.

While attending a secretarial school, a friend set her up on a blind date with Lester Kuhlman and the rest is history.  They were married on June 28th, 1959, and began their life together in Stillwater, Oklahoma.  They relocated to Kirksville, Missouri, St. Louis, Missouri, and Denver, Colorado before settling in Sterling, Colorado in 1975.

Joan was very active in her church, P.E.O., and Reach For Recovery.  Joan loved music and sang with the Sweet Adelines Acapella choir and her church choir.  She also taught herself how to play the piano by ear.

Joan never shied away from hard work; a virtue she learned by being raised on a farm.  Joan and Les were pioneers in the composting field with the creation of their family business.  The business afforded them the opportunity to travel the world extensively.  She enjoyed her travels tremendously.

Joan had many interests.  She loved decorating, yard work, gardening, sewing, painting, cooking, and collecting and restoring antiques.  She taught many of these skills to her daughters at home and as a 4-H and Girl Scout Leader.  Joan also loved researching the family history.

Joan was a beloved grandmother to seven.  She will be remembered as a fun playmate who hosted the best tea parties.  She built, designed, and decorated a backyard playhouse for her grandchildren repurposed from an old shed.  She never missed an opportunity to watch their athletic, theatrical, and musical events.

She was predeceased by her parents, Walter and Ruth Bruett, husband Lester Kuhlman, and brothers Merle Bruett and Curtis Bruett.

Joan is survived by daughters:  Karla Noland (Martin), Karen Herklotz (David), Kathy Coverly (Jeffrey); seven grandchildren: Sarah Miller (Jacob), Natalie Herklotz, Andrew Coverly (London), Renee Noland, Kathryn "Katie" Herklotz, Heidi Noland, and Alyse Coverly, and two great-grandsons:  Jack and Walker Miller; sisters:  Darlene Durand, Louise Alexander, Leona Huffman; sisters-in-law Myrna Bruett, Julia Bruett and brother-in-law Clifford Huffman.