Ruth Ann Rother, the daughter of Walter F. and S. Cordelia (Shinabargar) Price, was born March 31, 1943, in Maryville, Missouri. Ruth attended Fairfax High School, Fairfax, Missouri, graduating in 1961. She then attended Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Education in 1968.

On June 24, 1967, Ruth was united in marriage to William Glen Rother at Fairfax Presbyterian Church, Fairfax, and they made their home in Craig, Missouri. William passed away on October 28, 2006.

Ruth taught at Craig R-III for 30 years, primarily teaching seventh grade. Then for several years, Ruth taught in St. James Public and Vienna Catholic Schools, both in south Missouri. Finally, to conclude her long career as a teacher, she taught as a substitute teacher in both Craig and Mound City, Missouri. Demonstrating her love of teaching, Ruth was a member of the Missouri Teachers Association, the Craig Teachers Association, and the Missouri Retired Teachers Association. She was widely loved by her students and especially enjoyed teaching junior high. Reading and spelling were her favorite subjects to teach.

Ruth was also a member of many organizations, including Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), William White Chapter, Rho Alpha Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi (service sorority), St. Peters Lutheran Church, Craig, and a delegate to the Missouri Silver Haired Legislature (Area Agency on Aging) representing northwest Missouri.

Ruth had a special love of quilts, making and gifting dozens of quilts over the years. To share her love of quilts, she was a member of the Piece Makers Quilt Guild of Atchison County. Always the teacher, she loved giving her special presentation on the Underground Railroad quilts all over Northwest Missouri. During her seasons working at Big Lake State Park as a seasonal naturalist, Ruth gave many educational presentations, including the history of Underground Railroad quilts and programs on the flora and fauna of the region. She also enjoyed reading, cross stitching, and caring for children of families she knew in the area.  Ruth had a lifelong love of travel and going to new places. She especially loved the Neihart Bus Tours, and the 22-day tour of Alaska (2011) accompanied by her sister, Sarah, was her favorite of all her many trips.

Ruth passed away Sunday, January 16, 2022, in North Kansas City, Missouri, at the age of 78.

Besides her parents and husband, Glen, Ruth was preceded in death by siblings, Clara L. Lankford and William J. Price. Survivors include daughters, Tonya Rother, Gladstone, Missouri, and Rose Ewing, Houston, Texas; granddaughters, Jacqueline Guidry, MD (husband, Josh Ulla), and Lauren Guidry-Leach (husband, Cameron Leach); great-grandchildren, Leif and Lindy; sister, Sarah Van Meter, Rock Port, Missouri; nieces and nephews, Julie (Steve) Joesting, Amy (Jake) Francis, Jill Price, Sarah Price, Tim (Shannon) Muntz, and Joe (Michelle) Price; great niece and nephews, Aubrey Francis, Cody, Cavin (Emily), and Colin Joesting, Tarver Muntz, and Tyrus, Hayden, and Luke Francis; and special friends too numerous to mention here.

A memorial service was held Saturday, January 22, 2022, at Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port, conducted by Mr. Stan Rippey. A private family inurnment will be held in the spring at I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Craig. Memorials may be directed to Mound City Nutrition Center or Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care, Kansas City, Missouri. Online condolences may be left at www.minterfuneralchapels.com. Services were under the direction of Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port.