Ruth Marie Richards, 100, Iola, passed away Thursday, Nov. 21, 2013, at the Allen County Regional Hospital in Iola.
Ruth was born Aug. 2, 1913, in Nevada, Mo., the daughter of Ralph John and Blanche Almira (Tiffany) Conwell. She grew up in the Iola, Gas, and LaHarpe areas and graduated from high school in Bartlesville, Okla.
She returned to Iola in 1958 where she worked at the Kelley Hotel, Menegays, Iola Deluxe Cleaners and Allen County Hospital in the dietary department. She later filled in at the Iola school cafeterias.
Ruth was a member of First Baptist Church in Iola.
Survivors include her five children: John K. Richards, Iola, Gary G. Richards and wife, Sandy, Hazel Park, Mich., Carol Large and husband, Robert, Leawood, Pearley L. “Butch” Richards, Overland Park, and Larry K. Richards and wife, Karen, Iola; 15 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her six siblings, Pauline McVey, Vina Higginbotham, Floyd Conwell, Linnie Shipley, Ruby Rossiter and infant Wanda Conwell.
Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m., Sunday, at Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel in Iola.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Monday at First Baptist Church in Iola.
Burial will be at Highland Cemetery, Iola.
In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to First Baptist Church.
Memorial gifts may be left with Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel of Iola.
Online condolences for the family may be left at www.iolafuneral.com.
Ruth Richards
