Obituary for Ruth Geraldine Neal
Ruth Geraldine (Elliott)Neal, passed away on October 11, 2023 at the ‘Clover Care Home’ in Shawnee Kansas. Ruth was a long time resident of Edwardsville, Kansas. Visitation Will be 1-2 PM Thursday, October 19th, 2023 at Alden-Harrington Funeral Home followed by a Graveside Funeral Service at 2:30 PM in Edwardsville Cemetery. The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, please donate to the National Agricultural Hall of Fame in Bonner Springs, KS.
Ruth was born on January 30th, 1929 in Kansas City, Kansas. She is preceded in death by her husband, Hector Thomas “Bud” Neal Jr. Ruth and Bud were married for 72 years prior to his death. She is preceded in death by her father Marshall Elliott and mother Florence Belle (Akers) Elliott. She was also preceded in death by her two older brothers Marshall Elliott and Howard Elliott and one sister Bessie (Elliott) Dyche. She is survived by one sister, Wilma (Elliott) Seutter (Ed). Ruth is also survived by her five children: Billie Gilson (Richard), Paul Neal (Melinda Lee), Nancy Powell (George), Cindy Neal-Keltner (Scott Keltner) and Geraldine Sestric (Zdravko). As well as 15 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Ruth is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Ruth graduated from Wyandotte High School in 1948. She also attended Kansas City Kansas Community College later in life.
Ruth retired from Bethany Medical Center after 20+ years of service. After her retirement, Ruth was an active member of the Edwardsville United Methodist Church. She served as a member of the Edwardsville Cemetery Board for many years. Ruth was an avid fan of the Kanas City Royals. She was always ready to watch her favorite team on TV.
Ruth was a loving wife to her husband and children. She was a farmer’s wife for many years and enjoyed the simplicity of life. Each year the family would grow a large vegetable garden. Ruth would can as much of the produce from the garden as she could during the summer months. Ruth enjoyed cooking for her family. If a friend stopped by at the dinner time, another plate was placed on the table with the expectation that they would stay for dinner. There was always enough food for everyone!
Ruth was an exceptional seamstress. She made a lot of her own children’s clothing. She made three of her four daughter’s wedding dresses. In addition, to the entire bridal party dresses. Later in life she painted ceramics and made beautiful holiday decorations. She was well known at craft sales for the Raggedy Ann and Andy’s that she made and sold in 3 different sizes. Ruth was also known for sewing and selling Barbie Doll Clothes.
Ruth spent many years coaching her daughters’ softball teams at Lions Park. She also was a Camp Fire Leader for many years.
Ruth was an avid collector of all Salt and Pepper Shakers. It is estimated that she had over 1,000 pairs in her collection prior to her death. She also collected kerosene lamps. When she attended auctions, she was referred to as the ‘Lamp Lady’. It was estimated that she had collected over 200 lamps during her lifetime. She loved antiques and she filled her home with her special pieces.
Ruth was the wife of the Delaware Township Fire Chief, Hector Thomas Neal Jr. in the early 1960’s. Ruth had the responsibility of calling each of the all-volunteer firefighters to notify them that they were needed. She helped the Delaware Township Fire Department with their annual ice cream social.
Lastly, the family would like to thank Kansas City Hospice for the excellent care they provided to our mother. In addition, we would like to thank all of the staff at ‘Clover Care Home’. The care and love that they provided to our mother was exceptional and will never be forgotten.
The family would like to thank the following people for their help and kindness that my mom enjoyed:
Mike Alexander was considered a 2nd son by both my Mom and Dad. There was always a dinner plate on the table for Mike for many years. He was always available to help them in their later years. Thank you Mike for all the help you have provided to my parents over the years. Mike, you have always been considered family!
Deb Martin, my mother’s niece was always available to help my mom for the last couple of years of her life. My mother enjoyed Deb’s company when she would take her shopping or decorate her home for the holidays. Deb loved talking to my mom and learning about the ‘Neal’ family history. If my mother had to choose who was going to drive her someplace, it would always be Deb. Mom loved the warm seats in Deb’s car. Deb’s love for my mother was sincere and complete.
Ruth was born on January 30th, 1929 in Kansas City, Kansas. She is preceded in death by her husband, Hector Thomas “Bud” Neal Jr. Ruth and Bud were married for 72 years prior to his death. She is preceded in death by her father Marshall Elliott and mother Florence Belle (Akers) Elliott. She was also preceded in death by her two older brothers Marshall Elliott and Howard Elliott and one sister Bessie (Elliott) Dyche. She is survived by one sister, Wilma (Elliott) Seutter (Ed). Ruth is also survived by her five children: Billie Gilson (Richard), Paul Neal (Melinda Lee), Nancy Powell (George), Cindy Neal-Keltner (Scott Keltner) and Geraldine Sestric (Zdravko). As well as 15 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Ruth is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Ruth graduated from Wyandotte High School in 1948. She also attended Kansas City Kansas Community College later in life.
Ruth retired from Bethany Medical Center after 20+ years of service. After her retirement, Ruth was an active member of the Edwardsville United Methodist Church. She served as a member of the Edwardsville Cemetery Board for many years. Ruth was an avid fan of the Kanas City Royals. She was always ready to watch her favorite team on TV.
Ruth was a loving wife to her husband and children. She was a farmer’s wife for many years and enjoyed the simplicity of life. Each year the family would grow a large vegetable garden. Ruth would can as much of the produce from the garden as she could during the summer months. Ruth enjoyed cooking for her family. If a friend stopped by at the dinner time, another plate was placed on the table with the expectation that they would stay for dinner. There was always enough food for everyone!
Ruth was an exceptional seamstress. She made a lot of her own children’s clothing. She made three of her four daughter’s wedding dresses. In addition, to the entire bridal party dresses. Later in life she painted ceramics and made beautiful holiday decorations. She was well known at craft sales for the Raggedy Ann and Andy’s that she made and sold in 3 different sizes. Ruth was also known for sewing and selling Barbie Doll Clothes.
Ruth spent many years coaching her daughters’ softball teams at Lions Park. She also was a Camp Fire Leader for many years.
Ruth was an avid collector of all Salt and Pepper Shakers. It is estimated that she had over 1,000 pairs in her collection prior to her death. She also collected kerosene lamps. When she attended auctions, she was referred to as the ‘Lamp Lady’. It was estimated that she had collected over 200 lamps during her lifetime. She loved antiques and she filled her home with her special pieces.
Ruth was the wife of the Delaware Township Fire Chief, Hector Thomas Neal Jr. in the early 1960’s. Ruth had the responsibility of calling each of the all-volunteer firefighters to notify them that they were needed. She helped the Delaware Township Fire Department with their annual ice cream social.
Lastly, the family would like to thank Kansas City Hospice for the excellent care they provided to our mother. In addition, we would like to thank all of the staff at ‘Clover Care Home’. The care and love that they provided to our mother was exceptional and will never be forgotten.
The family would like to thank the following people for their help and kindness that my mom enjoyed:
Mike Alexander was considered a 2nd son by both my Mom and Dad. There was always a dinner plate on the table for Mike for many years. He was always available to help them in their later years. Thank you Mike for all the help you have provided to my parents over the years. Mike, you have always been considered family!
Deb Martin, my mother’s niece was always available to help my mom for the last couple of years of her life. My mother enjoyed Deb’s company when she would take her shopping or decorate her home for the holidays. Deb loved talking to my mom and learning about the ‘Neal’ family history. If my mother had to choose who was going to drive her someplace, it would always be Deb. Mom loved the warm seats in Deb’s car. Deb’s love for my mother was sincere and complete.