Ruby Sara Tuggle

Ruby Sara Tuggle, age 97, of Johnson, Kansas passed away Saturday, March 1, 2014, at the Memorial Living Center. She was born on April 11, 1916, in Johnson the daughter of Elam and Helena Hilty.

Ruby spent her early years on the Hilty homestead south of Johnson before moving to Johnson in the early 1920’s to start school. She attended Johnson grade and high schools, graduating valedictorian of the Johnson High School class of 1934. She then went to Business College in Hutchinson, Kansas and Bethel College in Newton, Kansas, where she graduated in 1941 with a degree in home economics. After teaching school for three years in Attica, Kansas, she returned to Johnson and was employed by Collingwood Grain Co. While working at Collingwood Grain Co., she met Milas Williams Tuggle and they were married on May 12, 1945, in Syracuse, Kansas. Milas and Ruby made their home in Manter, Kansas, and were married 49 years until Milas’ death in 1995.

Ruby was a member of the United Methodist Church in Manter, Kansas, serving as the secretary and treasurer for many years. She was a member and past officer of the United Methodist Women’s group. She was a charter member of the Cosmos Club, starting out as a member of the Merry Maids in high school. In 2003, Ruby was honored by the community by being named the Pioneer of the Year for the annual Stanton County Pioneer Day celebration. Ruby was renowned for her varied handiwork ranging from award winning quilts to bullion embroidery to wheat weaving. She enjoyed contributing to the annual Manter Methodist Church Bazaar.

Ruby is survived by her children, John Allan and his wife Jaime of Corpus Christi, Texas, Thomas Martin and his wife Barbara of Green Valley, Arizona, and Donna Lee Stanton of Johnson, Kansas; six grandchildren: Alison Madry and her husband Eric, Matthew Tuggle, Brett Tuggle, Kent Tuggle, Pam Caldwell and her husband Skip, and Greg Stanton; eleven great-grandchildren, and 10 great-great-grandchildren.

Ruby was preceded in death by her husband, Milas, her parents Elam and Helena Hilty, a brother Karl Hilty, three grandsons Rodney, Tommy and Bryce Stanton, and one great-grandson Diren Hill.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, March 11, 2014 at the United Methodist Church in Manter, Kansas with Pastor Mary Courtney officiating. Interment will follow at the Stanton County Cemetery in Johnson, Kansas. Friends may call from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Monday, March 10, 2014 at Garnand Funeral Home in Johnson. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions are given to the United Methodist Church in Manter in care of Garnand Funeral Home, PO Box 715, Johnson, Kansas 67855.