Marylin Rose Ruth

Marylin Rose (Richard) Ruth, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on February 22, 2026, at the age of 84.

Born July 13, 1941, in Satanta, KS to Homer B. and Lucille R. (Foos) Richard, Marylin grew up in rural Johnson, KS with her siblings Donnie and Sylvia. She met the love of her life, Darrel Ruth, through county 4-H activities and graduated from Johnson High School in 1959. Darrel and Marylin married on August 27, 1961. Both are alumni of Fort Hays State University where Marylin earned a BA in Home Economics. They returned home to the family farm near Johnson, where Marylin devoted herself to raising their children - Daren, Tami, and Shara - and supporting their farming operation. Marylin lived a life rooted in faith, service, and creativity. Infinitely patient, she taught private piano lessons, volunteered with school and church youth programs, and served as a 4-H leader in sewing and cooking. A gifted musician, she was the church organist and pianist for most of her life, playing for countless weddings, funerals, and community events and singing in the church choir. She and Darrel loved traveling, from family ski trips to RV adventures in Arizona and a special trip to Alaska. Marylin shared her love of local history while writing the People of the Southwind column for The Johnson Pioneer. In the 1980s she earned a master's degree in special education from NW Oklahoma State University, graduating Summa Cum Laude. She taught special education at Stanton County High School, later transitioning to home economics. Many former students remember the life-skills she helped them develop. After retiring, she enjoyed working part-time at the Stanton County Museum and cheering on her kids and grandkids. Admired for her kindness, humor, creativity, and generous spirit, Marylin expressed her talents through sewing, quilting, woodworking, stained glass, and painting. These creative gifts she passed on to her children and grandchildren. She will always be remembered as the heart of her family. Marylin faced Alzheimer's with grace and perseverance. Her family is deeply grateful to the staff of Stanton County Long Term Care for nine years of compassionate care.

She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Darrel; her children Daren (Carol) Ruth of Johnson, KS, Tami (Mark) Mendell and Shara (Darin) Grauberger of Omaha, NE; grandchildren Kelsi (Alex) Broadway, Eric (Crystal) Ruth, Gordon (Allason) Ruth, Katharine (Brady) Key, Madeline (Senne) Mendell, Logan and Lauren Grauberger; and great-grandchildren Emily, Leah, and Luke Broadway, Penelope and Henry Key; as well as her sister Sylvia (Jon) Cronin; sisters-in-law, Kathy Ruth of Cortez, CO and Pat Ruth of Reno, NV; many beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Donnie.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, March 14, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 202 S. Nipp St., Johnson, KS with Reverend Jacques Kambol officiating. Interment will follow at the Stanton County Cemetery. The family suggests memorials to the First United Methodist Church of Johnson or Stanton County Long Term Care Unit all in care of Garnand Funeral Home, PO Box 715, Johnson, KS 67855. Marylin's gentle spirit, steady love, and enduring wisdom will live on in all who knew her. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.