WATTS, Ruth Eileen (Chittenden) - b. May 7, 1942 - d. September 26, 2024

[patyrn]

Ruth Eileen Watts, age 82, of Howard, Kansas, passed away September 26, 2024 in Augusta, Kansas.  She was born May 7, 1942 in Upland, Nebraska, the daughter of Walter and Clara (Woods) Chittenden.

Ruth's family moved to Virgil, Kansas when she was a young girl.  She attended school there and graduated from Virgil High School in the Class of 1960. On August 22, 1962, Ruth married Kenneth Watts in Eureka, Kansas.  They lived in Hamilton, Kansas and the Tonovay, Kansas area until moving to Howard, Kansas in 1969.  Together, they raised two children and were married 42 years until Kenny's passing in 2004.

Over the years, Ruth wore many hats.  She owned her own ceramic shop in Howard for several years, drove a school bus for West Elk schools from 1972 to 1983, and then went to work as a tax preparer for several years before retiring.  Even then, she continued driving a bus for the Elk County Department of Aging for awhile.  She was active in the Prairielands Food Pantry, the Jolly Janes organization, was on the Elk County Fair Board for many years, and was a member of the Howard United Methodist Church.

Ruth also travelled around to fairs judging the ceramic division for 4-H. She enjoyed crocheting, diamond art, playing Bingo, and making fresh ice cream for her family.  If she heard there was a new baby on the way, she would get busy making a baby blanket for the new baby.

Ruth is survived by her daughter, Christy Tyler (Don Smith) of Howard, Kansas; grandchildren, Kenny (Miranda) Tyler of Derby, Kansas, Billy Tyler (Paxton Kerley) of Howard, Kansas, and Heather (Ben) Houchin of Howard, Kansas; 11 great-grandchildren; her sister, Mary  Boyer of Leavenworth, Kansas; her sister-in-law, Ardell Watts of Afton, Oklahoma; and her caregivers, Keisha, Christina, and Liz.  She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Kenneth; and her son, Tom.

A memorial service to honor Ruth will be held on Friday, October 4, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Countryside Funeral Home in Howard, Kansas.  The family will receive friends at visitation from 10:00 a.m. until service time.  Memorial contributions are suggested to the Elk County Community Foundation for Howard projects and may be mailed to or left with the funeral home.  Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas 67349 has been entrusted with arrangements.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)