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She was born November 8, 1935, in Richards, Missouri, the daughter of George Christian and Myrtle Elizabeth (Schnedler) Larsen. Ruth was first a mother, but she did have several jobs in the business field.
Most notably, she worked at Western Insurance in Fort Scott and State Street in Kansas City, Missouri. Ruth had a hunger for knowledge and bettering herself as a person. One of her accomplishments in life includes earning an associate's degree at Fort Scott Community College while raising six daughters. She may be the only person that has read the Webster Dictionary more than once. This pastime came in handy as she did crossword puzzles in her spare time.
Ruth was an avid Chiefs and Royals fan getting to attend a winning World Series game in 2015. Ruth did not let her shy personality hold her back – she learned how to swim and tried water skiing as an adult. She also learned how to snow ski as a 50+ grandma! But that may have been more about getting the good-looking ski patrol to help her down the mountain! She loved to travel to the many places her children lived because she absolutely loved spending time with family.
For exercise, Ruth loved walking and loved taking care of her many flowers. She was a woman that loved the outdoors! Ruth loved the Lord and encouraged all her daughters to be women of faith. Ruth will be lovingly missed by her children, Vicki (Robert) Kerley of Ozark, Missouri; Sherry (Roger) Kellogg of Springfield, Missouri; Regina (Cameron) McAllister of Fort Scott, Kansas; Donna (Jim Jr) Banwart of Fort Scott, Kansas; Tonia (Mike) West of Norman, Oklahoma; and Trina (Kirk) Whitson of Clarksville, Tennessee; and 16 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren, 10 great great grandchildren; her sister, Geraldine Neth and brother Charles “Buck” Larsen, both of Fort Scott. She was preceded in death by brothers Leonard Larsen and Raymond Larsen, and three sisters, Ruby O’Dell, Alice Gilkey, and Helen Larsen.
The family will hold private family services under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel. A private burial will be in White Cemetery, Richards, Missouri.
Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association and may be left in the care of Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S Main, PO Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
