Ruth M. Boyer, 93, passed away at her home in Iola on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2013, surrounded by her loving family and caregivers. She had been in declining health since a stroke in November 2010.
Ruth was born March 22, 1920, in Iola as the first child of Martin O. Haney and Tillie G. (Robins) Haney. She grew up in Iola and graduated from Iola High School in 1938.
On Aug. 6, 1939, Ruth married Marvin E. Boyer in Nevada, Mo. They made their home in rural Iola. Marvin and Ruth worked together to establish Marvin E. Boyer Oil Company. Her main vocation was a life-long homemaker and mother. They started their family by adopting two boys, Donald E. Boyer and Jon M. Boyer. In 1952, they were blessed with the birth of a son, Robin C. Boyer. To complete their family, they traveled to Greece in 1960 and adopted twin girls, Lisa S. Boyer and Lucile Lynn Boyer.
Ruth loved traveling, music, and raising her family. She was a member of the Iola Civic Symphony, Iola Municipal Band, Iola Community Theatre, Sorosis Club, bridge club, Iola Revelers Club, and Wesley United Methodist Church. She passed along her love of travel and the arts to her children. Everyone enjoyed her stories from her travels around the world and she loved telling them.
She is survived by her children: Jon and wife Sherry, Beaufort, S.C., Robin, Iola, Lisa, Haysville, and Lynn and husband Paul, Burlington; grandchildren, Jennifer (Boyer) Fisher, Jon Edward Boyer, Joseph Boyer, Karlea Boyer, Hailey Boyer, Cassandra Boyer, Ethan Boyer, Michelle (Nicholson) Anderson, Alec Nicholson, Lauren Nicholson, Erika Catron, Matthew Catron, and Shannen Catron; 12 great-grandchildren; siblings, Betty (Haney) Lucas, North Judson, Ind., Joan (Haney) Getter and husband Dick, Dallas, Texas, and Jim Haney and wife Margaret, Cottonwood Falls, Ariz.; daughter-in-law Pat Boyer; sister-in-law Mary Anna Haney and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her son Donald E. Boyer, her granddaughter Evion Boyer, and her brother Bob Haney.
We were blessed to have her for 93 years, but she will be greatly missed by her loving family. She will live forever in our hearts and minds.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Monday at Wesley United Methodist Church in Iola. Burial will be at Highland Cemetery, Iola.
Memorials may be made to the Friends of the Bowlus or Allen County Hospice. Memorial gifts may be left with the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel of Iola.
Online condolences for the family may be left at www.iolafuneral.com.
Ruth Boyer
