Ruth Trendel

Ruth Trendel, age 73, of Pomona, Kansas, passed away on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at Overland Park Regional Medical center surrounded by the love of her family.

She was born on December 30, 1951, in Garnett, Kansas, to Louis and Frances (Tinsley) Ecord. She spent the majority of her life living in Franklin County.

Ruth’s identity revolved around being a mother and caring for others. She modeled the nobility of sacrificing for family, the value of a strong work ethic, and selflessness. She raised three sons to be self-sufficient men. Despite their protests growing up, she taught them to sew, do laundry, and navigate a kitchen. As she got older, she expressed regret at nagging them and being demanding as a mother, but her sons argued that it was what they needed and attributed her high expectations for their successes. They only recalled the love behind her actions.

She also instilled in her sons the value of education and continually learning new skills to evolve. She became pregnant with her first child when she was seventeen. Because of the social norms of the time, she was forced to drop out of high school. This didn’t deter her. Seven years later she took adult education classes to earn her GED. She worked many jobs which ranged from manufacturing clothing to avionics. After her sons left the home, she earned an associate of arts degree in business from Baker University. She used this degree to finish her career in document processing at Garmin in Olathe, Kansas.

Ruth was most at home in the kitchen. She always provided her family with a delicious, home-cooked meal every evening. Meals were a sit-down affair to be savored and always created an opportunity to talk about the day. She constantly tried new recipes, but her fried chicken made her the Queen of family potluck dinners.

Her passion for life was evident in all that she loved: gardening, family reunions with her siblings, knitting, reading, and 50’s and 60’s “Sock Hop” music. While she rarely drank alcohol, on special occasions at a restaurant, she would often order a margarita with a shot of tequila on the side. She possessed a knack for making others feel special. It was common for strangers to approach her, and by the end of the conversation, she’d know all the intimate details of their lives. Even in her last days in the hospital, this was true.

Undeniably, her greatest joy in this life was being a grandparent. She showered her grandkids with love, filled them with a sense of adventure, and nurtured their interest and personalities. She enjoyed cooking with the grandkids, but she also loved crafting with them and supporting their school activities. While she will be greatly missed, her spirit will live on in her grandchildren, children, and everyone she encountered.

She was preceded in death by her husband Daryl Trendel who she was married to for forty years, her parents Frances (Tinsley) Ecord and Louis Ecord; sisters Jessie Lickteig, Joan Geer, Eva Stone, Lois Ecord and Jeannie Rossman; and her in-laws George and Bertha Trendel.

Left to celebrate her life are her children Michael Trendel (Kristin) of Lawrence, Kevin Trendel of Hurst, Texas, and Lucas Trendel (Nicole) of Olathe; grandchildren Ella Trendel and Tessa and Colin Trendel; siblings Richard Ecord (Linda), Pattie Fine (Dean) of Pomona, Kansas, and Ronald Ecord (Vicki) of Monte Vista, Colorado; and numerous nieces and nephews who she loved dearly.

Visitation will be held Thursday, April 3, 2025 from 5:00-7:00pm at Dengel & Son Mortuary, Ottawa, Kansas.

A private family graveside service will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at 11:00am.

All are invited to the Celebration of Life taking place at the Greenwood Community Center (2705 Florida Road, Ottawa, Kansas) on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at 12:30 pm.

The family suggests memorial contributions in Ruth’s honor to the Franklin County Cancer Foundation c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.

To share your memories of Ruth or to send a special condolence message to her family, please visit the guestbook below.