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 same year. The next year in 1955, her second son, Ted, was born followed; in two years by a third son, Ed. They all moved to Olathe in 1958, and the fourth son, Ned, was born there in 1959. They were named by their father because he thought rhyming names were cute. This was before women’s liberation. Ruth started teaching the same year Ned was born. Ruth and Howard taught in the same school. This was the first time that was permitted. Ruth taught although she was pregnant and that was the first time that was permitted. Ruth taught Spanish in the Olathe School system for 35 years. Foreign languages were Ruth’s primary interests. She studied Mandarin, Russian, French and Italian. She was also an athletic freak, coaching basketball and track, running and swimming. She and Howard traveled extensively in their rv’s in Mexico, Canada and the United States. Ruth also 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.