Ruth M. Beckner

Neodesha — Funeral services for Ruth Margaret Peterson Beckner, 97, Lawrence, will be at 2 p.m. Monday at the United Methodist Church in Neodesha, with the Revs. Kris Brinlee and Roger Gausman officiating. Burial will be in Neodesha Cemetery.
Mrs. Beckner died Wednesday, June 24, 2009, at Brandon Woods at Alvamar.
She was born May 13, 1912, near Kelso, Wash., the daughter of Frank and Mary Wood Peterson. She graduated from Howard (Kan.) High School in 1929.
Mrs. Beckner taught in the Elk County rural schools for seven years. She and her husband attended Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia and graduated from Colorado State College of Education in Greeley. For 32 years, she taught in the elementary public schools of Moline, Grenola, and Neodesha, where she and her husband lived for 52 years. Before moving to Lawrence, Mrs. Beckner spent 5 1/2 years at Wesley Towers in Hutchinson.
She was a member of Neodesha Methodist Church, the Neewollah Campers of Independence, Kansas State Teachers Association and the National Education Association.
Mrs. Beckner enjoyed painting, acting, storytelling, camping and making cookies for her grandchildren.
She married Paul Beckner on April 25, 1936. They shared 70 years of marriage. He preceded her in death.
She was also preceded in death by her parents and three sisters, Florence Eilken, Frances Barger and Helen Harris.
Survivors include two daughters, Janet Roth and husband Stan, Lawrence, and Karen Gausman and husband Roger, Hutchinson; eight grandchildren, Kathie, Jon, Carl and Shannon Gausman, Jim Roth, Jane Waterman and Debby and Brad Ziegler; and 10 great-grandchildren, Jack, Carson, Margaret and Adam Ziegler, Tim and Alex Roth and Joshua, Matthew, Paige and William Gausman.
The family will meet friends from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Monday before services at the church.
The family suggests memorials to the church, 802 Indiana St., Neodesha, KS 66757 or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Penwell-Gabel Loran Fawcett Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Condolences may be sent at penwellgabel.com.