Ruth Elder, 99, of Russell, Kansas, died on Sunday, November 29, 2020, at the Wheatland Nursing Center in Russell, Kansas.
Ruth Schooling born to William Albert and Margaret Elizabeth (Kennedy) Schooling on May 14, 1921, in Hardin, Ray County, Missouri. She had older brother Sam and two younger brothers Paul and Bob.
She grew up in the Hardin and Lexington, MO areas. She had fond memories of Sunday afternoons with the extended Schooling family sharing meals and listening to her dad and uncles play instruments and sing. Her last two years of high school was in Kansas City, MO at Manual High. It was there she met Phillip Lopez and the two were married in 1939. To this union was born son (William) Carlos and daughter Ramona.
During WWII Ruth and the children moved to Osborne County, north of Waldo, where they stayed with Ruth’s parents while Phillip was serving in the Marine Corps. Following their divorce Ruth married Vern Elder and raised her children on the Elder farm. After Vern’s death in 1979 she remained on the farm and spent some time working in Hays at the Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas. In addition she was quick to serve others providing people rides to doctors appointments, caring for shut-ins and pitching in where ever needed.
In addition to her family Ruth’s interests included people, music, reading, quilting, crocheting, sign language, reading maps and watching the University of Kansas basketball.
Ruth is survived by her son Carlos Lopez and wife Barbara of Clarkesville, Georgia, grandson Marc Bauman and wife Lisa of Kirkland, WA , great grandchildren James Bauman of Bellevue, Washington and Emma Bauman of Tacoma, WA and several other Schooling and Kennedy relatives.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Vern Elder, daughter Ramona Hutchinson, all three brothers Sam, Paul and Bob Schooling.
Her family expresses their appreciation and gratitude for the care provided by the staff at Wheatland Nursing Center. A private graveside service will be held by the family at Grand Center Cemetery in rural Waldo, Kansas. There will be no viewing or public service. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.