Ruth L. Griswold

Ruth Louise Griswold, age 89, of Overland Park, KS died peacefully on February 15, 2026.

She was born September 30, 1936 in Sedalia, MO, a daughter of John Lloyd Waters and Lula Evelyn Steele Waters. On June 1, 1958 she married her high school sweetheart, Norman Lee Griswold. Together they enjoyed over 67 years of marriage.

Ruth graduated from Smith-Cotton High School, Sedalia, MO, in 1954, and attended Central Missouri State College, Warrensburg, MO, where she graduated with a BS in Business Administration in 1958, and later a Master’s in Education. She taught elementary, middle, and high school in Missouri, Wisconsin, and Kansas. Ruth and Norman made a home and lifelong friends in each place they lived during Norman’s service as a Special Agent in the FBI.

Ruth was a member of the First Baptist Church, Green Bay, WI, where she faithfully served in several positions, such as treasurer, choir member, hand bell choir member, youth group leader, and Sunday School teacher. After retiring and moving to Missouri, they joined First Baptist Church, Sedalia, MO. While living in Overland Park she attended online at Church of the Resurrection, Leawood, KS.

Ruth was a light to all who knew her. Her warm smile, pleasant demeanor, and positive outlook on life always made others feel special, loved and appreciated. Ruth, known fondly by her family as Grammy, was devoted to her family, and served them selflessly. She always made gatherings in her home special by preparing delicious meals, baking extra batches of cookies, and being ready to play hours of cards or board games (usually accompanied by ice cream). She and Norman enjoyed their life together, whether it was playing golf, driving themselves or their grandchildren around on the golf carts, traveling, or just sitting on the deck at home on the Sedalia Golf Course.

Hers was a life well lived and she will be greatly missed. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Norman Lee Griswold. She is survived by three sons, Stuart (Joy), Steve (Tracie) and Scott, and a daughter, Suzanne Carlson (Jeff); eight grandchildren, Lee Smith (Kyle), Lynne Turner (Brad), Sydney Taylor (Eric), Jack Griswold (Madisen), Thomas Carlson (Kaylee), Emma Carlson, Samantha Griswold and Calvin Griswold; five great grandchildren, Kylee, Lily, and Claire Smith, and James (JT) and Cate Turner; and a brother, Ralph Waters.

We are sure PaPa was waiting for Grammy to arrive to take a long-awaited golf cart ride together.

Heckart Funeral Home in Sedalia, MO will be directing a family memorial service at a later date.