Ruth May Pletcher Schlatter, age 102, passed away Nov. 20, 2012 at the Smith County Long Term Care in Smith Center, KS. Ruth was born November 14, 1910 in Crystal Plains Township, Bellaire, Kansas to William "Bill" and Emma (Barcus) Pletcher. Ruth was the third born of the ten children. After completing her elementary education at Crystal Plains country school, she attended two years of high school at Portis, Kansas. She graduated from Smith Center High School in 1931 with a normal Training Teachers Certificate. Ruth taught the rural schools of: Chalkmound, Red School (Buck Creek), Barefoot Nation and Harmony. She attended college classes at Ft. Hays during the summer of 1935 and continued teaching until the spring of 1937.
On May 9, 1937 Ruth was married to Albert Schlatter, Bellaire, Kansas. They moved to a farm Albert had purchased close to his parents in Webster Township. Ruth was involved in vegetable gardening, raising lots of chickens and milking cows during this time. They became parents of three children, James Arthur, Ernest Albert and Sharlyn Faye. While residing in Portis, Ruth was baptized on March 31, 1929 at the First Brethern Church, Portis, Kansas. After the death of Albert in 1957, Ruth transferred her church membership to Oak Creek Christian Church, Lebanon, Kansas.
Ruth enjoyed teaching the youth and later the adult Sunday School Class for many years. Ruth was also the church treasurer and deaconess for many years. Ruth was a charter member of the "Over 60" in Lebanon and an active member of the Stuart Ladies Aid Bible Study group where she held offices in both organizations until her health failed. Ruth continued to live on the family farm until the marriage of her oldest son Jim in 1969. After a short stay in Lebanon, she purchased a farm near the Oak Creek Church on highway 181 and moved there in the spring of 1971.
In October of 1995, Ruth suffered a stroke leaving her with hearing impairment and difficulty in caring for herself. Ruth spent several months in Heritage Harbor nursing facility, Smith Center, Kansas before making her home with her daughter Sharlyn Long in June of 1996. During this time, she spent many hours reading daily and weekly newspapers and taking her daily walks when the weather permitted. Ruth had an inquisitive mind and regularly researched locations on the globe and word meanings in the dictionary as well as her Bible.
Some of Ruth's greatest enjoyments were watching and advising her 7 grandchildren while they grew up. She especially enjoyed any of the great grandchildren when they came to visit. In March, 2010, she entered Long Term Care, Smith Center, Kansas, where she remained a resident until her death.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husband Albert, her parents William and Emma (Barcus) Pletcher; brothers Marvin, Miles, Lloyd, Blaine and Bill; sister Faye Overmiller; son-in-law Warren Long; daughter-in-law Barbara Schlatter and great grand-daughter Sara Grace Schlatter.
Those mourning her loss are sister Roma (Jr.) Caldwell of Portis, KS; brothers Paul (Ginger) Pletcher of Smith Center, KS and A.L. (Gladys) Pletcher of Portis, KS; her sons Jim (Marianne) Schlatter and Ernest Schlatter and daughter Sharlyn Long all of Lebanon, KS; grandchildren Terry (Katrina) Long; Larry (Ann) Long of Downs, KS; Walter (Kim) Schlatter of Higginsville, MO; Sheila (Dwayne) Lorence of Esbon, KS; Marion (Melanie) Schlatter of Lebanon, KS; Marvin (Heather) Schlatter of Hutchinson, KS; Mark (Karla) Schlatter of Salina, KS; great grandchildren, Dustin, Clinton and Dylan Schlatter; Ashley Lorence; Jacob, Ayden, Ashlyn Long; Caroline Long; Piper, Willow, Tucker and Meadow Schlatter; Benjamin, Erik, Caleb and Matthias Schlatter; Abigail, Nathan, Jonathan and Ethan Schlatter; nieces and nephews and many other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM Friday, November 23, 2012 at the mortuary.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 AM on Saturday, November 24, 2012 at the Lebanon Christian Church in Lebanon, KS.
Burial will follow in the North Oak Creek Cemetery, Rural Lebanon, KS.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions be given to the Over 60 Club, Lebanon Christian Church or the Oak Creek Christian Church and can be sent in care of the mortuary.
To leave an online condolence visit www.simmons-rentschler.com.