Ruth Seger

Ethel Ruth Michael Seger, 87, beloved sweetheart, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend to all, especially those in need of a friend, passed away on Saturday, January 12, 2013, from the effects of Alzheimers.

Ruth was born on January 28, 1925, to Mark Elmer and Rose Ann Adeline Watson Michael in the homestead home on Goodman Route, McDonald County, Missouri. She was the tenth of fifteen children. Ten lived to adulthood and all have preceded her in death.

Being part of a large family during the Depression created quite an adventure as the family worked together to make ends meet and provide for their needs.

After high school graduation in 1943, Ruth worked as a secretary at Camp Crowder in Neosho, Missouri, and from there went to Kansas City, Missouri, and on to California. In July of 1947, Ruth worked at the Satanta Coffee Shop in Satanta, Kansas. By January of 1948, Ruth moved to Ulysses, Kansas, and worked for F&M Telephone Company, REA, Bon Ton Café and Schneider Implement Company. Then she moved to Garden City, Kansas, in 1949 and worked for Burtis-Nunn Implement Company and drove cars for Tri-R Sales Company. December 1949, Ruth took the job of bookkeeper for Wolfe Motor Company in Meade, Kansas. When asked what college she had attended to get her training, she would say, “The College of Hard Knocks!”

The job in Meade would forever change the course of Ruth’s life. It was here that she met the love of her life – Robert Allan Seger (Bob). She married Bob on August 6, 1950, in Meade, Meade County, Kansas. Ruth joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1955. She and Bob were sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake City, Utah, LDS Temple on May 13, 1958.

After their marriage, Ruth continued working for Wolfe’s until 1953 when they moved to the farm north of Big Bow, Kansas. She worked from home for many years as a bookkeeper and then had Ruth’s Bookkeeping and Income Tax Service and Variety Haus in Ulysses, Kansas.

Ruth was an agent for Farmer’s Insurance for a time. She was also a very successful representative for United Investors and for Waddell and Reed. She was top salesperson for many years and won many trips for her and Bob to see many very exciting places.

Ruth’s greatest love was for her Heavenly Father and her family. She was active in PTA, 4-H, Women’s organizations, and anything that involved her children or Bob.

Ruth has been a shining example of enduring to the end with happiness, grace, and dignity. She never knew a ‘stranger’ for long; they became her friend. We have been blessed to love her and to be loved by her. We look forward to the time we reunite as a family before our Heavenly Father.

Ruth is survived by her husband, Robert A. Seger; 8 children and their spouses, Karen (Fred) Clyde of Hurricane, Utah; Bobbie Seger, Cheryl (Ron) Hale, and Robert (Sandi) Seger all of Johnson, Kansas; Kathy (Mel) Mortensen of Rexburg, Idaho; and Earl (Charla) Seger, Merl (Leasa) Seger of Ulysses, Kansas and Verl (Lori) Seger of Richmond, Texas; 45 grandchildren; and 74 (+ 4 more due) great-grandchildren. Ruth was preceded in death by her son, Mark Allan Seger, in February 1954; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren; parents and 14 siblings.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 19, at 10 a.m. in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel at Baughman and Maize, Ulysses, Kansas. Interment will follow at the Ulysses Cemetery in Ulysses. A viewing will be held at Garnand Funeral Home on Friday, January 18, from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Viewing will also be held Saturday, January 19, 2013 from 8:00 am until 9:00 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Memorials may be made the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint Humanitarian Aid Fund or the Alzheimer’s Foundation in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W Grant Ave, Ulysses, KS 67880. Please visit the website at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com for condolences, complete obituary and funeral listings.