Stephen and Ruth Ellen Gunnett
July 1, 1948 - March 17, 2017
In memory of Stephen Duane Gunnett and Ruth Ellen Gunnett (Jones), husband and wife and best friends for over 44 years.Stephen Duane Gunnett was born, July 1, 1948, in San Diego, CA to George Samuel and Dorothy Lillian Gunnett (Hall). He grew up in Ramona, CA. Stephen drafted into the United States Army at the age of 18 and served his country honorably in the Vietnam War. After leaving the Army, he married Ruth and they raised five children together. Stephen created a lifelong career in the grocery industry in Ramona. He was a member of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW Local 135) and graduated with an Associate of Arts degree in General Studies from Palomar College in San Marcos, CA. Stephen was known for his quiet nature and quick wit. He enjoyed barbequing in his backyard, watching Star Trek, reading science fiction, assembling and painting birdhouses, model airplanes and cars. He was a beloved husband, father and grandfather. Ruth Ellen Gunnett was born, August 21, 1953, in Escondido, CA to Henry Jones and Hazel Mozel Stoker.Ruth was known for her infectious laugh and deep love for her husband, children, and grandchildren. She enjoyed creating beautiful, custom quilts for her family, barbequing and spending time with her grandkids. She was a beloved wife, mother and grandmother.Stephen passed away on March 7, 2017 at Penrose-St. Francis Hospital in Colorado Springs, CO, surrounded by his entire family after a year-long battle with chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL). Ruth passed away in her sleep on March 17, 2017, in her home in Colorado Springs, CO, likely from takotsubo cardiomyopathy - also known as "broken heart syndrome" - due to the loss of her beloved husband. Stephen and Ruth are survived by their five children, Robert Alan Dahl Jr. and his wife Brooke Dahl, Michael Duane Gunnett and his wife Tina Marie Gunnett, James Eric Gunnett and his wife Lisa Gunnett, Kathleen Amanda Steffans and her husband Justin Steffans, and George Henry Gunnett; eight grandchildren, Tucker James Dahl, Sara Catherine Dahl, Madison Christine Gunnett, Cathan Gregory Gunnett, Zoey Rae Gunnett, Kelsey Lee Steffans, Braden Taylor Steffans, and Jackson Riley Steffans.Stephen is also survived by his two brothers, Ronald C. Gunnett and his wife Judy Gunnett, and George R. Gunnett. He was preceded in death by his father, George Samuel Gunnett; and mother, Dorothy Lillian Gunnett.Ruth is also survived by two of her siblings, Charlie Jones and Sherry Jones. She was preceded in death by her father, Henry Jones; her mother, Hazel Mozel Stoker; and her siblings, Edgar Jones and Betty Jones. Stephen and Ruth were laid to rest, side by side, at Nuevo Memory Gardens in Ramona. Bonham Bros & Stewart Mortuary and Cremation service assisted the family.