Ruth Ann (Struble) Shanks

Ruth Ann (Struble) Shanks, 75, of Arkansas City, KS, passed away on Thursday, July 19th surrounded by her family at her home. 

A Memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, July 28th at Shelley Family Funeral Home Chapel of Arkansas City.   The family will greet friends following the service.  A memorial in Ruth’s name for Kindred Hospice has been established and donation may be left with Shelley Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1, Arkansas City, KS  67005.   

Ruth Ann was born on May 6, 1943 in Charles City, IA, the daughter of John William and Mary Frances Camilla (Reilly) Struble.  She was reared and educated in Charles City.  She married Richard Katcher on January 31, 1960.  To this union, 4 children were born, David, Daniel, Debra and Donna.   As a young mother, she owned and operated a restaurant, The Lantern Café.   She also worked at Binney & Smith Crayola Factory, Graves Drug and Cessna Aircraft.   After 23 years, she retired from General Electric as a mechanic and inspector.   On May 23, 1983, she was united in marriage to Lee A. Shanks and the couple made their home in Arkansas City.   After retirement, the couple enjoyed vacationing to Cozumel, Mexico and she loved her flower and vegetable gardens.   Ruth was also the Past President of the Ladies Auxiliary, Eagles Lodge in Tama, IA.   She will be deeply missed by her family and friends. 

Her family includes her husband, Lee of the home; her sons, David Katcher and wife Brenda of Amarillo, TX and Daniel Katcher and wife Mary of Newkirk, OK; her daughters, Debra Nation and husband Paul and Donna Krueger and husband David both of Ottawa, KS; her step-daughter, Brandy Armour of Kansas City, MO; her sister, Sharon Grice of Ankeny, IA; her 15 grandchildren and 42 great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Jean Watson, 1 grandson, Harley Katcher and  1 great-grandson, Jadon Esquivel.

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