BECKNER, Ruth Margaret (Peterson) - b. May 13, 1912 - d. June 24, 2009

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Ruth Margaret (Peterson) Beckner of Lawrence, Kansas, formerly of Neodesha, Kansas, died June 24, 2009 at Brandon Woods Health Center in Lawrence, Kansas.  She was 97.  She was born May 13, 1912 near Kelso, Washington, the daughter of Frank and Mary (Wood) Peterson.

In 1929, Ruth graduated from Howard High School in Howard, Kansas.  After attending normal school training, she taught in the Elk County rural schools for seven years. On April 25, 1936, she married Paul Beckner, and they shared 70 years together. With her husband, she attended Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia, Kansas and graduated from Colorado State College of Education in Greeley, Colorado.

For thirty two years, she taught in the elementary public schools of Moline, Grenola, and Neodesha, Kansas.  She and her husband lived for 52 years in Neodesha, Kansas.  Prior to moving recently to Lawrence, Kansas, she spent 5 1/2 years at Wesley Towers in Hutchinson, Kansas.  She was a member of Neodesha United Methodist Church, the Neewollah Campers of Independence, Kansas State Teachers Association, and the National Education Association.  Her hobbies included painting, acting and storytelling, camping, and making cookies for grandchildren.  One of her greatest legacies is the large number of children she taught to read.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Paul; and three sistes, Florence Eilken, Frances Barger, and Helen Harris.
Her survivors are two daughters and their husbands, Janet and Stan Roth of Lawrence, Kansas and Karen and Roger Gausman of Hutchinson, Kansas; eight grandchidlren, Kathie, Jon, Carl and Shannon Gausman, Jim Roth, Jane Waterman, and Debby and Brad Ziegler; and ten great-grandchildren, Jack, Carson, Margaret, and Adam Ziegler, Tim and Alex Roth, and Joshua, Matthew, Paige and William Gausman.

Services for Mrs. Beckner will be on Monday, June 29, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Neodesha, Kansas with Reverends Kris Brinlee and Roger Gausman presiding.  The family wll receive friends from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church prior to the service.  Interment will be held at the Neodesha Cemetery.  The family suggests memorials to the United Methodist Churchn, 802 Indiana Street, Neodesha, Kanss  66757 or a charity of your choice.  Penwell-Gabel Loran Fawcett Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

(taken from the Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home website)

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Some of the older folks in Elk County will remember the Beckners.  Ruth was the sister of longtime Howard resident, Frances Barger.