Ruth Isabel Hahn Perry
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A Celebration of Life for Ruth Isabel Hahn Perry, age 104.94, Baldwin City will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 7, 2017 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence. Inurnment will be held at Worden Cemetery, Douglas County, KS. She passed away Monday, December 26, 2016 at her home.
Ruth was born January 17, 1912 in rural Cozad, NE the daughter of William and Mary Jane (Caley) Hahn.
She traveled from Nebraska to a ranch near Devil’s Tower in Wyoming in a covered wagon as a child. She lost her grandmother and mother to pneumonia in the same week when she was 16. She started teaching at the age of 18 in one-room schoolhouses in Wyoming in 1930. She rode a horse to school and back as much as 8 miles each way. She also taught in the Appanoose, Sigel, Wakarusa Valley and Riverside schools. At the age of 50 she earned her BA in education from Baker University. Ruth was baptized in 1932 and attended Worden United Methodist Church. She was a member of Business and Professional Women since 1938. After retiring from the Lawrence School District in 1977 she travelled to Alaska, Canada, England, Ireland, and all over the USA with her sister and husband in an RV. She substituted in Douglas County schools and was an avid Baldwin sports fan.
She married Charles L. Perry April 24, 1941. He preceded her in death (February 19, 1977)
She is survived by her son, Charles Perry, Baldwin City; daughters, Sally Sue Dunn, Baldwin City, Mary Lou Ellis (Bill) Medicine Bow, WY, Step-Daughter Patsy Sue Perry, Kansas City, KS; 11 grandchildren, Renee Sparks (Steve), Angie Heck (Brian), Nathan Perry (Kelly), Corey Dunn, Annie Berends, Mike McIntosh, Mark McIntosh, Matt McIntosh, Debbie Meek, Don Smith, Jr. and Shelly Young; 19 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren; and one sister, Mary Hilda Hild, and her faithful friend and caretaker, Clio Elrod.
She was also preceded in death by her brother, Juel Hahn and sister, Opal Allan and Step-Daughter, Sally Ann Smith.
The family will greet friends from 6 – 8 p.m. on Friday, January 6th at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.
Memorials may be made in her name to Compassionate Care Hospice or the Worden UMC, sent in care of the Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
Online condolences may be posted at warrenmcelwain.com.
Charlie, I was sadened to read about Ruth this morning. She was a lovely lady, and will be dearly missed. Back in my Heetco days, she was one of my favorite monthly stops. Always had a pleasant visit, always had good conversation on K.U. basketball. Some times during the holidays, she would shove a plate full of home cookies my way. I never made it out of the driveway before they were gone. She will be forever in my good memories. If we can do anything for you, just ask. God bless you fine people.
Sally and Charles,
So sorry to hear about your mom. I remember my mom always talking about her. My prayers are with you all.
Dear Charile (and family)! We learned today of your mother’s passing. Our thoughts are with you! “Your Son Your Son”…
So sorry to read of your Mom’s passing. I always admired your devotion to her and enjoyed hearing from you about her days of teaching in one-room schools in rural Wyoming.
Sally Sue, Mary Lou and Charles and families,
What a good life your mother, my aunt, lived. I am so glad I came down a few years ago and brought Aunt Hilda with me. We got snowed in and had a great visit, but my favorite part was having Aunt Ruth wheel her chair into the room I was cleaning and visiting the whole time about what her family was doing and telling about her childhood and what my grandmother (her mom) was like and Granny. You have my sympathies in your loss. I bet she and my dad are visiting up a storm in a much nicer place!
Charlie–Tim & I were sorry to see your Mom’s passing. Know our thoughts are with you!