RUTH OLIVE WALKER

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Ruth Olive Walker, age 89, formerly of Mapleton, Kan., and more recently of rural Fort Scott, Kan., died Monday, Sept. 6, 2010, at her home.

She was born Dec. 11, 1920, in Hiattville, Kan., the daughter of Oscar Cowan and Grace Olive Boileau Cowan.

She was a 1938 graduate of Blue Mound High School.

Ruth married Jake Walker on April 25, 1943, in Fort Scott. He preceded her in death on Oct. 19, 1988. She helped run the family farm until his death.

She was an active member of the Mapleton Christian Church while living in Mapleton. She was currently a member of the Diamond Community Church.

She loved gardening and was known for making her jellies, especially plum jelly.

Survivors include a son, Steve Walker and wife Leeta, Fort Scott; one brother, Bill Cowan and wife Norma, Nevada. Mo.; five sisters, Irmal Smith, Blue Mound, Kan.; Mary Dahmer, Nevada, Mo.; Opal Brillhart and husband Ed, Charlene Bruns and husband Maurice, and Pauline Norris, all of Fort Scott.

Also surviving is a niece, Carolyn Sisson and husband Bill, Mapleton; sister-in-law, Faye Cowan, Mapleton; four step-grandchildren, Susan George and husband Bryan Patten, Lesli Mitzner and husband Jerome, Stephanie George and husband Marshall Beerbower, and Sam George; and five step great-grandchildren, Jessie Combs, Alex Combs, Spencer Mitzner, Marissa Mitzner and Mason Mitzner.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Robert "Bobby" Walker and wife Nancy, in an automobile accident, a sister, Metta Walker and a brother, Floyd Cowan.

Pastor Stephen Muhota will conduct funeral services at 10 a.m. Thursday in the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in Mapleton Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Diamond Community Church and may be sent to Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701.

Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at www.cheneywitt.com.