Cover photo for Ruth Anna Schlender's Obituary
Ruth Anna Schlender Profile Photo
In Memory Of
Ruth Anna Schlender
1938 2022

Ruth Anna Schlender

July 3, 1938 — December 18, 2022

Ruth Anna Schlender, 84, of Olathe, KS, passed away on December 18, 2022.

Ruth was born on July 3, 1938 in Louisburg, KS to Willard & Gertrude (Powell) Miller. She graduated from Louisburg High School in 1956 and was class Valedictorian. Throughout her life she had worked as a Hotel Manager at Eldridge Hotel, in Lawrence, KS, numerous clerical positions, Civil Process Server with the Finney County Sheriff's Department and Stenographic Services in Garden City, KS.

Ruth was a remarkable woman living a life that would have undone a lesser person. She worked hard, she enjoyed life, loved her children, adored her grandchildren and idolized her great grandchildren. She considered herself blessed to be an active member with the Fraternal Order of the Eagles in Garden City, KS for many years and served as the FOE Auxiliary State President from 2010 – 2011 and volunteered for Crossroads Hospice the past four years. She enjoyed gatherings with her family and friends and was an avid reader, enjoyed crossword puzzles and playing games. She will truly be missed by her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Willard Miller and Gertrude Miller, her sister Donna Claire Miller Kerr and three husbands Paul Dean Van Vleet, John M. Szabo & James (Jess) E. Schlender.

Ruth is survived by her sister Vera Juanita Miller Thorne and brother David Franklin Miller.

Ruth is also survived by her children Chris & Vivian Van Vleet of Des Moines, IA, Mark & Cheri Van Vleet of Kent City, MI, Patti Van Vleet Steinwand of Olathe, KS, Scott Szabo & Rick Durette of Manchester, NH. And, three step children: Julie Guthrie, Joni Schlender, and John Schlender. Eight grandchildren, three step grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren, and three step great grandchildren,

A Memorial Service will be held on March 18, 2023 at 10:30 am at St James Lutheran Church
1608 N Belmont Pl, Garden City, KS

Interment following at Valley View Cemetery
2901 N 3rd Street, Garden City, KS

Lunch & Celebration of Life, 1-3 pm
Fraternal Order Eagles Lodge
2603 N.Taylor, Garden City, KS

In lieu of flowers, mail a check with Ruth Schlender in the memo line to:
Wheatlands Auxiliary FOE # 3124
PO Box 676
Garden City, KS 67846
Donations will support the FOE Diabetes Research Center at the University of Iowa.

To leave a message of condolence for Ruth's family or to share a special memory of Ruth, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ruth Anna Schlender, please visit our flower store.

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