Ruth Lena Gass

Ruth Lena (Burgin) Gass, age 90, left this vale of tears on Thursday, August 30, 2023, at Schowalter Villa in Hesston, Kansas.  She was born September 15, 1932, in Ava, Missouri, to Lester Edison “Bunk” and Dortha (Burris) Burgin.

 

Ruth was united in marriage to Ellis Hylton Gass on June 19, 1949.  The ceremony was held at the home of her parents, with Reverend Ramie L. Gass officiating.  Two daughters were born to this union, Sheila Rae and Sheryl Kae.

 

Ruth attended Pea Vine School in Ava, Missouri, through the eighth grade.  Little did she know that her teacher, Ramie Gass, would become her father-in-law years later.  Times were difficult then and she always regretted not being able to continue her education through high school.

 

Ruth was a loving wife, mom, grandma, and great-grandma, always doing for her family.  As a young mother, she taught herself to sew.  Sheila and Sheryl wore beautiful clothes to school even when they went to college.

 

Ruth was known by all for her tremendous work ethic.  She went to work at Brown Shoe Company in Mountain Grove, Missouri, when Sheryl went to kindergarten.  She retired after 32 years, and then obtained her Commercial Driver's License to join Ellis as an over-the-road truck driving team.  In 1991, they retired.  Ruth couldn’t be idle.  She began a 15-year employment record with Wal-Mart, ending that career as a greeter in McPherson, Kansas.  Being a greeter was a perfect job for Ruth; she always had a smile on her face and never met a stranger.  During all her years of working outside the home, she gardened, canned, cooked, sewed, etc., sacrificing sleep and rest for her family.

 

Besides her parents, Ruth was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 69 years, Ellis Gass, two brothers, Wayne and Les Burgin, two sisters, Lela Cooper and Lula Lackey, and two brothers-in-law.

 

Ruth is survived by her daughters, Sheila Ciabocci (Mike) of Little Rock, Arkansas, and Sheryl Dossett (Brynel) of McPherson, Kansas, one sister, Lavern Walker of Yakima, Washington, one brother, Jerry Burgin (Linda) of Toppenish, Washington, one sister-in-law, Barbara Burgin of Ava, Missouri, two grandchildren, McKiefer Dossett (Staci) of McPherson, Kansas, and Serci Dossett (Brent) of Lawrence, Kansas, and nine great-grandchildren.

 

The visitation and funeral will be held at Christian Brethren Fellowship in Mountain Grove, MO on Saturday, Sept. 9.  Visitation is at 9 a.m. with funeral immediately following at 10:00 a.m. 

 

A Memorial service will be held for Ruth and Ellis at Grace Ev. Lutheran Church in McPherson, KS on Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 7:30 p.m.  The church is located at 800 E First Street.

 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Grace Lutheran Church or Schowalter Villa, Hesston, KS, where Ruth was given the most loving, Christian care during the past 12 months.