Ruth Evelyn Nielsen

Ruth Evelyn Nielsen, age 75, of Paola, Kansas (formerly of Shawnee Mission, Kansas), passed away Friday, November 27, 2015 at her home in Paola, Kansas. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children"s Hospital and Kansas University Cancer Society, care of Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, 305 North Pearl Street, Paola, Kansas 66071, (913) 294-2372. Ruth E. Nielsen was born June 5, 1940 in Kansas City, Missouri to John and Bernice Spencer. Ruth grew up Kansas City, Kansas. Ruth was married to Frank J. Nielsen August 6, 1960. She worked at Hallmark Corporation early in her marriage. Ruth and Frank lived in and around the Shawnee area for several years before making their home outside of Paola. Over the last 25 years she worked as a school bus driver for special needs/preschool children. She is a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Ruth enjoyed gardening, entertaining, celebrating life with her family and playing cards. Besides her parents, Ruth is preceded in death by her beloved husband Frank J. Nielsen, her son Michael Nielsen and her brother Joe Spencer. Ruth leaves behind her children, Catherine Miller, of Shawnee, KS, Debora Morrison, of Keller, TX, Patrick Nielsen, of Manhattan, KS, Joseph Nielsen, of Shawnee, KS, Andrea Ewing, of Spring Hill, KS, and Maria McMahon, of Paola, KS; two sisters, Inez Judy of Pleasant Hill, MO, and Barbara Spencer, of Prairie Village, KS; two brothers, John Spencer, of Kansas City, KS and Charles Spencer, of Harrisonville, MO; 22 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren who will greatly miss their grandma deeply. To share a memory of Ruth or to leave a special condolence message for her family, please click the "Share Memories" tab. Holy Trinity Catholic Church Service: Monday, November 30, 2015 at 10:00 AM Visitation: Sunday, November 29, 2015 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM