Ruth (Soeken) Peters

Ellinwood, KS 

Ruth (Soeken) Peters, 105, passed away at Ellinwood District Hospital on Dec. 9, 2024.Born Oct. 24, 1919 in rural Ellinwood, KS she was the daughter of George and Emma Soeken. A lifetime Ellinwood resident Ruth also had residence in Houston, TX since 1983. She married Ken Peters in Hutchinson, KS on Feb. 16, 1939. They farmed south of Ellinwood and traveled the world together for many years before he passed away in 2009. 

Ruth was a longtime member of St. John Lutheran Church/ Altar Guild, Lutherans Woman’s Missionary League, and Ellinwood Garden Club. She was also a member of the Kansas Flying Farmers, Sunshine Club, and Ellinwood Hospital Auxiliary. Ruth loved flying, traveling and serving others. 

Born the day they turned the Delco light on, she quickly became a bright star in a farming family south of Ellinwood.   Spirited and determined she learned early to be strong willed and hard working by milking, by hand, a herd  of cows every morning and walking a mile and a half to school.

Her one and only job was teaching at a one room school house in the 1930’s where no one could read or write.  Her proudest moment came when each student spared no words expressing their gratitude for expanding their worlds.    It also gave her the opportunity to proudly flash her button down shoes.

Ruth was a proud active member of Concerned Women for America, Houston Village Republicans, and attended an intensive weekly Bible study.  She was also strong supporter of Turning Point USA and a personal friend and confidant of Charlie Kirk.   

She helped with her daughter Gayle’s  business, Florage.   Ruth had a great eye for flowers and design.   She was a Master gardener at heart.   

She and her daughter, Gayle, were avid world travelers  for 7 years, creating long lasting friendships where ever they went around the world.   They visited Australia, NZ and Tasmania along with Dubai, Oman, Qatar and sailing through the Suez Canal several times.   She rode in a hot air balloon over the fairy chimneys in Capadocia, Turkey.  The highlight was kissing the Blarney Stone in Ireland at 100 years old.  She even was featured on their FB page.   In 2019 she was honored as the Grand Marshall at the Ellinwood After Harvest parade.

She was everyone’s hero and role model that knew her well.     People loved her beautiful smile, but most of all they loved her kindness, graciousness, loving spirit and delightful sense of humor.   She overcame an early childhood loss of her Mother, and later in life the loss of her eldest son.   Through out all her challenges she overcame grief with joy through her faith.  Everyone wanted to know her secret.…which was a strong belief in Jesus Christ.

Survivors include daughter, Gayle Christie, Houston, TX; son, Bruce (Beth) Peters, Wichita, KS; grandson, Eric Peters, Cedar Rapids, IA. She was preceded in death by her son Douglas Peters. 

Funeral Service will take place 10:00 AM, Wed., Dec. 18 at St. John Lutheran Church, Ellinwood, KS with Rev. Thomas Thierfelder officiating. Interment will follow at Lakin-Comanche Cemetery, Ellinwood, KS. Visitation will take place Tues., Dec. 17 at Minnis Chapel in Ellinwood, KS from 1-7 PM with family receiving friends from 6-7 PM. Memorials are suggested towards St. John Lutheran Church, St. John Lutheran CDC, or Ellinwood Garden Club in care of Minnis Chapel, Po Box 246, Ellinwood, KS. Condolences may be left at www.minnischapel.org

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