STEELE, Ruthe Ann (Olson) - b. November 2, 1944 - d. December 11, 2024

[patyrn]

Ruthe Steele left this world a little better place for having lived in it.  She was loved by so many.  She was born November 2, 1944 in Chanute, Kansas to Viola and Everett Olson.  They lived on a farm about 6 miles west of Chanute in a Swedish community named Vilas, Kansas.  She had two older sisters, Marie (Olson) Larson of Natchitoches, Louisiana and Jean (Olson) Anderson of Meriden, Kansas and a younger sister, Gloria (Olson) Loucif of Alvor, Portugal.

Ruthe attended Sorghum Valley Grade School, was a member of the Vilas Vikings 4-H Club, and graduated from Midway High School in Buffalo, Kansas.  She earned a nursing degree from Trinity Lutheran School of Nursing in Kansas City.  She married Gary Steele in 1965.  Their daughter, Leslie, was born on July 13, 1978.  Ruthe worked as a nurse in several different hospitals, nursing homes, and grade schools.  She attended Unity Church in Topeka, Kansas and was a volunteer for her daughter's 4-H Club in Grantville, Kansas.

A huge animal lover, Ruthe was a vegetarian and had many cherished fur friends over the years.  She was a passionate advocate for the humane treatment of animals everywhere.  Later in her career, Ruthe went back to school to become a teacher of students with visual impairments.  Her dedication to students and kids everywhere was legendary.  She worked for Chautauqua County Unified School District #286 until she retired.  She loved to visit her grown daughter wherever she lived and traveled to Australia, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Diego.

Ruthe lived in Howard, Kansas for over 20 years where she had many friends.  Some of her favorite things to do included walks with her dog, yoga classes, and getting a double chocolate malt at Toot's Drive-In. Ruthe died on December 11, 2024 with her daughter, Leslie, by her side.

A memorial service to honor Ruthe was held on December 17, 2024 at Countryside Funeral Home in Howard, Kansas.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Chautauqua County Animal Shelter in Sedan, Kansas and can be mailed to or left with the funeral home.  Services have been entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas 67349.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)