Ruth Frances Lancaster

Ruth F. Lancaster, age 94 of Ottawa, Kansas, died Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at Ottawa Retirement Village. She was born on Sunday, November 24, 1918 in Kansas City, Kansas, the daughter of Aaron Lewis and Bertha Frances (Gardner) Hougland. She was a near lifelong Ottawa resident. Ruth graduated from Ottawa High School with the class of 1937. She was a homemaker and dairyman’s wife from 1938 to 1968. She then worked thirteen years as a sales clerk at June’s Dress Shop in Ottawa from 1968 until retiring in 1981. Ruth was a long-time member of the Ottawa First United Methodist Church, a past member of Hazel Rebekah Lodge #175 and was Past Noble Grand and Past District Deputy President of Kansas; Noble Grand for ten years on the Degree Staff; and a charter member of the O K Extension Homemaker Unit that started in 1948. When her sons were growing up she was a Den Mother for Cub Scouts, a 4-H leader, a past president of Parent Teacher Associations at Eugene Field Elementary School, and Ottawa Junior and Senior High Schools, and while living in the country, she attended the Union Chapel United Methodist Church and helped with Sunday school and Bible school. On Sunday, April 24, 1938, Ruth was united in marriage with Glenn Edward Lancaster at Ottawa, Kansas. He preceded her in death on October 12, 2004. She is survived by her Son – Jim Lancaster and his wife, Virginia of Ottawa, Kansas; Son - John Lancaster and his wife, Ellen of Redfield, Kansas; Brother - James L. Hougland of Entiat, Washington; Grandson – Tim Lancaster and his wife, Brenda of Overland Park, Kansas; Grandson – Trent Lancaster and his wife, Jody of Ottawa, Kansas; Granddaughter – Kristen Schudel and her husband, Nick of Columbia, Missouri; Granddaughter – Carissa Wissman and her husband, Danny of Andover, Kansas; Great Grandson – Tate Lancaster; Great Granddaughter – Hope Lancaster; Great Granddaughter – Madison Lancaster; Great Grandson – Cooper Lancaster; Great Granddaughter – Emma Schudel; Great Grandson – Cole Schudel; Great Granddaughter – Addison Wissman and Great Grandson – Jackson Wissman. She is preceded in death by her: Parents – Aaron and Bertha Hougland; Son – Thomas E. Lancaster in 1944; Sister – Florence Royer; Sister – Evelyn Rhule and Brother – George Hougland. SERVICES: Funeral services will be held at the Ottawa First United Methodist Church, 2:00 P.M. Saturday, January 26, 2013. IN STATE: Friends may pay their respects to Mrs. Lancaster at Dengel & Son Mortuary from 1:00 to 9:00 P.M. Friday. Family will meet with friends at the church Saturday at 1:00 P.M. to the service hour. CEMETERY: Interment Highland Cemetery, Ottawa, Kansas. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorial contributions to Ottawa First United Methodist Church c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. An online Guest Book is available at www.dengelmortuary.com.