Ruth Alice Smethers

Ruth Alice (Neff) Smethers was born December 14, 1930, in Washington, Kansas. Her family moved to Manhattan, Kansas, in 1940 where she completed her education, graduating from high school in 1948 and from K- State in 1951. She married Howard Smethers in 1951. Her first son, Fred, was born in Manhattan in 1954. They moved to Lansing Kansas that year. In 1955, her second son, Ted, was born. In 1957 a third son, Ed, was born. They moved to Olathe in 1958 and the fourth son, Ned, was born in 1959. They were named by their father because he thought rhyming names was cute. This was before women’s liberation.

Ruth started teaching the same year Ned was born. Ruth and Howard taught in the same school - the first time that was permitted. Ruth taught pregnant - the first time that was permitted, too. Ruth taught Spanish in the Olathe School system for 35 years. She coached basketball and track but was also an athlete herself running and swimming.

Foreign languages were Ruth’s primary interest. She studied Mandarin, Russian, French and Italian. Ruth and Howard traveled extensively in their RVs in Mexico, Canada and the United States. Ruth traveled to Europe and China.

Ruth passed away on Friday, November 28, 2025, at the age of 94. Ruth is survived by four sons: Fred (Eileen), Ted (Susan), Ed (Lisa), Ned (Anne); nine grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.
Celebration of Life services will be held at Penwell Gabel Funeral Home in Olathe on Saturday, January 10th, 2026, at 10:00am.
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