Ruth M. Hanshaw, 89, of Atchison, Kansas, passed away on September 28, 2025, in St. Joseph, MO.
Ruth was born April 16, 1936, in Horton, KS, the daughter of Rufus and Mabel (Pace) Cowger. She graduated from Atchison High School in 1954 and married Lester S. Hanshaw on June 20, 1954. He preceded her on March 7, 2011, after celebrating more than 50 years of marriage. Ruth was a successful retailer with a lifelong career spanning more than 50 years at Montgomery Wards, T.G.&Y, and Wal-Mart where she retired after 30 years of service. In her spare time, she loved gardening, traveling, and taking in Branson music shows with her beloved brother and sister-in-law.
She is survived by her elder brother, Eugene and his wife Carol, Columbus, MT; her son, Les Hanshaw, Atchison, KS; nieces Brenda Sigfried, Columbus, MT and Wendy Garofalo, The Woodlands, TX; nephew, Rich Cowger, Columbus, MT; three great-nieces, one great-nephew, and two great-great nieces.
She is preceded in death by her parents and husband.
A celebration of life service will be held at 11:30AM, Sunday, October 5, 2025, at St. Marks Lutheran Church where she attended throughout her life and served on their leadership council. The Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home is in charge of her arrangements. Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Marks Lutheran Church, and may be sent in care to the funeral home.
