ANDERSON, Mary Ruth - b. May 13, 1945 - d. June 8, 2018

[patyrn]

Mary Ruth Anderson, 73, retired Dean of Health Services at Wichita Area Technical College in Wichita, Kansas, passed away in Wichita on Friday, June 8, 2018.  She was born on May 13, 1945 in Wichita, Kansas,  the daughter of Irving Samuel and Leah Belle (Hebb) Anderson.

Mary Ruth graduated from Howard High School in Howard, Kansas in 1963.  After high school, she attended Marion College in Marion, Indiana, majoring in Biology and Secondary Education.  She graduated in May 1967.  She then taught Sciences at Howard High School for four years, realizing after four years that being a high school teacher wasn't for her.  In June 1971, she entered Medical Technology School at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, graduating one year later.  During this time, she met her longtime companion, Roger Bryning.

Mary then worked in the lab and blood bank at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita for 11 years.  The last three years of this career, she also worked in the Department of Education and taught medical technology students from Wichita State University.  After leaving Wesley, she went to Wichita Area Vocational Technical School as the director of the Medical Laboratory Technician Program for five years.  During this time,  she earned her Master's Degree in Adult and Continuing Education from Kansas State University.  She returned to a reference laboratory for a short two years and then worked at Wichita Area Technical College in a number of positions in the Health Sciences Division.  At the time of her retirement in 2007, she had held the position of Dean of the Health Sciences for six years. 

Mary's mother began teaching her to sew when she was four years old.  Mary had finished her first quilt by the age of 11.  Sewing remained her favorite hobby right up until her death.  She especially enjoyed sewing doll clothes and was a member of the Wichita Antique Doll Study Club,  currently serving as their treasurer.  Mary also enjoyed traveling with many friends over the years and loved going to doll shows and workshops.  She was a member of the Westside Freewill Baptist Church in Wichita, Kansas and enjoyed teaching every Tuesday. 

Mary is preceded in death by her companion, Roger Bryning and her parents, Irving and Leah Anderson.  Survivors include her many friends and cousins. 

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 13, 2018 at Broadway Mortuary in Wichita, Kansas.  Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 14, 2018 at Westside Freewill  Baptist Church, 3310 W. MacArthur, Wichita, Kansas.  Graveside service will be held at 3:00 p.m. at Grace Lawn Cemetery in Howard, Kansas.    A memorial has been established with Westside Freewill Baptist  Church.  Condolences may be shared at www.CozineMemorial.com.  Services have been entrusted to Broadway Mortuary of Wichita, Kansas.

(taken from the Broadway Mortuary website)