Dr. Ruth Shay, 74, of Fort Collins, Colorado, passed away unexpectedly on April, 6, 2024, in Fort Collins.

Memorial Service will be 6:00 p.m., Thursday, April 25, 2024 at Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars, Iowa. Visitation with the family will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. A Private family burial will be held at Calvary Cemetery in Sioux City, Iowa. Expressions of sympathy may be expressed to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com.

Dr. Ruth Ann Shay, the daughter of Patrick and Beverly (Brown) Shay, was born on January 10, 1950, in Sioux City, Iowa.  She attended school in Leeds and graduated from Leeds High School in 1968.  She attended Westmar College in Le Mars, where she earned her teaching degree in elementary education.

She began teaching in Keokuk, Iowa.  She then worked as a recruiter for a few years at Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa. Ruth later went back to school and attained her doctorate in Chiropractic from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa.  She moved to Colorado Springs and later Pueblo, Colorado, where she practiced.  She then moved to Fort Collins, where she owned and operated Shay Chiropractic until her retirement.

She was a member of the Colorado Chiropractors Association for many years and was also a current member of the National Speakers Association. Through the years she enjoyed gardening, antiquing, and was an avid skier.  Dr. Ruth was also a published author who wrote two books: "The Littlest Susan" and "Seizure Recovery".

Survivors include her daughter, Amanda (Alan) Shay-Brookhart of Sioux City, IA; her mother, Beverly Nilles of Le Mars, IA; her siblings: Genelle (Jake) Dixson of Sioux City, IA, Diane Shay of Sioux City, IA, and Merle (Becky) Shay of Le Mars, IA; several nieces and nephews; and a close friend, Jon Richards of Fort Collins, CO.

She was preceded in death by her father, Patrick Shay; her step father, Dennis Nilles; and her close friend, Joseph Henriques.