BORN

1920

DIED

2020

FUNERAL HOME

Countryside Funeral Home - Howard

206 E Washington

Howard, Kansas

Ruth Riggins Obituary

Ruth Helen Riggins, 100 years old, of Lawrence, Kansas passed away at Pioneer Ridge Skilled Nursing Facility on August 23, 2020.

Ruth was born on February 13, 1920 to Charles and Olga Gilkison in Larned, Kansas. She grew up on a farm near Zook, KS and spent one year in California. Ruth was a big sister to three younger brothers, John, Dwight, and Paul. She loved to laugh and tell stories about how she kept them in line.

Ruth graduated from Larned High School in 1937. In the Fall of 1937, she headed to college in Emporia, KS attending Kansas State Teachers College later know as Emporia State University. While there she met a young man named, William Harper Riggins. After earning her teaching degree, she and Bill were married in Zook, KS on July 20, 1941.

Soon after they were married, WWII began. They resided in Wichita, KS working for Boeing, building bombers. Ruth was a supervisor because she had a college degree which was unusual for women at that time. Later, when Bill spent 13 months in the Pacific serving in the Army, she cared for their two young daughters and managed through war time with many shortages and rationing.

After the war they settled in Severy, KS where Bill took over the family hardware store, Riggins Hardware that had been established in 1914. Ruth began teaching in the Severy Public Schools. Several years later, much to their surprise, they welcomed a son to complete their family. Ruth finished her teaching career at West Elk Senior High. They moved to Lawrence, KS in 1998 to spend their retired years. Unfortunately, Bill died in August of 2002.

Ruth is survived by her three children, Bill (Stacy) of Lawrence, KS. Rochelle (John) Simons of Hendersonville, NC. Cheri Brown of Kalispell, MT. Ten grandchildren, John, Sonja, Sherri, Jeff, Naomi, Patric, Matthew, Natasha, Nicolette and Nash. Twenty-two great grandchildren, Whitney, Samantha, Jackson, Connor, Rochelle, Riley, Drew, Quinn, Alexandria, Leaha Maree, Aiden, Avery, Regan, Cameron, Nicholas, Benjamin, Alida, Elaine, Nova, Reuben, Albert, Busy and one great great granddaughter. Ruth is also survived by her brother Paul (Bettie Jo) Gilkison and sister-in-law Lola Mae Gilkison.

Graveside services will be held at South Lawn Cemetery in Severy, KS. at 11:00 AM on Friday, August 28th, 2020.

Memorial contributions in Ruth's name can be made to the Trinity Lutheran Church in Lawrence or the Severy United Methodist Church and can be mailed to or left with the funeral home.

Services entrusted to:

Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, P.O. Box 1233, Howard, KS 67349

Published by Lawrence Journal-World on Aug. 27, 2020.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Ruth Riggins

Not sure what to say?





4 Entries

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief. I remember Ruth Riggins from my days at West Elk High School. She was always kind, helpful and in a good mood. She was a very kind person

Janet (Hill) Wozniak

Student

August 29, 2020

Thank you both for the messages!

Stacy Riggins

Daughter

August 27, 2020

I so enjoyed the time I spent with Ruth at Pioneer Ridge while sitting with my mother Marcella. She was a very special lady. I'm sorry for your loss.

Carol Bray

Acquaintance

August 27, 2020

I never expect to see anyone from Howard’s name in the Journal World, so was saddened and startled to see Ruth’s name in the obituaries. My condolences and sympathies. I wish I could have known she was in town.
I was a teacher at West Elk and a haunter of the library when Bill & Stacy were in high school. As kind of a second career I was later a school librarian as well for 20 some years, and have been living in Lawrence most of my life, except for jaunts to places like Howard. My own mother is pushing 98 and living at Brandon Woods here in Lawrence.

Jeff Blair

Coworker

August 27, 2020

Showing 1 - 4 of 4 results

Make a Donation
in Ruth Riggins's name

Memorial Events
for Ruth Riggins

Aug

28

Graveside service

11:00 a.m.

South Lawn Cemetery

Severy, KS

Funeral services provided by:

Countryside Funeral Home - Howard

206 E Washington P.O. Box 1233, Howard, KS 67349

How to support Ruth's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Ruth Riggins's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more