R. Ruth Baxter, 93, died peacefully Sunday, Aug. 16, 2015, in Omaha, Neb.
Ruth was born on a farm outside Yates Center on Feb. 3, 1922, to Lola Edna Jarratt Stoddard and Taylor Harry Stoddard.
She grew up in Iola, where her parents owned the M&M Grocery, and where Ruth kept books and worked after school.
She graduated from Iola High School.
Ruth was a musician. One of her earliest ambitions was to play the violin. She attended Iola Junior College and then Wichita University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in music education while working for Coleman in Wichita.
She married Stuart T. Baxter of Wichita in 1949. Following her husband’s ministry in the Presbyterian Church, she taught music and primary grades in schools in Sterling, Dubuque, Iowa, Columbus, Ohio, South Bend, Ind., and Omaha.
Ruth is survived by her husband, the Rev. Stuart Baxter; her children, Loretta Sue Krieger-Baxter, Wanada Baxter-Potter, Roberta Baxter and John Baxter; six grandchildren; sisters Winifred Cation and Louann Snodgrass; and by beloved sons-in-law, nieces and nephews.
While we are immeasurably saddened by our loss, we celebrate a life well lived in the service of God and filled with love, music and dedication.
A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Sept. 17 at First Presbyterian Church of Omaha.
Expressions of sympathy may be mailed to the family c/o Baxter-Potter, P.O. Box 446, Pullman, WA 99163.
Ruth Baxter
