Ruth Elaine Ayers

Ruth Elaine Ayers, 78, of Ottawa, Kansas, passed away on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, at the University of Kansas Health System, Kansas City, Kansas.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Monday, February 5, 2024, at Dengel & Son Mortuary – Ottawa, 235 S Hickory St., Ottawa, Kansas 66067.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 am, Tuesday, February 6, 2024, at Ottawa First United Methodist Church, 203 E 4th St., Ottawa, Kansas 66067.

Internment will take place at 11:00 am, Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at Greenlawn Cemetery, Pratt, Kansas.

Ruth was born on Sunday, September 23, 1945, in Pratt, Kansas. She was the daughter of Alar Barton and Beulah Mae (Hiskett) Mawdsley. Ruth grew up and attended schools in Pratt. She graduated from Pratt High School with the class of 1963.

Ruth later graduated from the University of Kansas with a Masters degree in Special Education. She worked for the USD 290 School District in Ottawa from 1983 until she retired in 2010. Ruth taught special education at Hawthorn, Lincoln and Garfield Elementary schools for almost 30 years. She had a deep passion for teaching and loved her students dearly.

Ruth was united in marriage to Bill Ayers on Saturday, March 9, 2019, at the United Methodist Church in Ottawa. They were happily married for four years.

Ruth was a member of the United Methodist Church in Ottawa for many years. She was also an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Ruth loved to read and research family history and genealogy. She loved to travel with her husband Bill, together they visited Scotland and England.

Ruth is preceded in death by her parents, Alar and Beulah Mawdsley, and her two children, Ken and Greg Shaffer.

She is survived by her husband, Bill Ayers, of Ottawa, Kansas, one sister, Jane Morabito, of Atascocita, Texas, four grandchildren, Tanner, Addison, Jerrigen, and Ensley, as well as many extended family members and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made payable to the United Methodist Church of Ottawa, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory Street, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.