Ruth Marion (Nitcher) Fleming

Ruth Marion (Nitcher) Fleming, 93, of Ottawa, passed away Saturday, November 24, 2018 at Rock Creek of Ottawa. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Friday, November 30, 2018 at the First United Methodist Church. Cremation will follow the service. Family will meet with friends from 6:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M., Thursday, November 29, 2018 at Dengel & Son Mortuary. Inurnment Hope Cemetery, Ottawa, to be held at a later date. Ruth was born June 29, 1925 in Michigan Valley, Kansas, the daughter of Walter Leon and Etta Mae (Baxter) Nitcher. She attended Boyd Grade School for eight years and Pomona High School graduating with the class of 1943. She attended Kansas State Teachers College several summers and received a teaching certificate. She taught school in Franklin County for five years. Ruth was united in marriage to Bruce N. Fleming on her 22nd birthday, June 29, 1947 in Pomona, Kansas. Bruce preceded her in death on October 12, 2017. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Etta Nitcher and brother, Keith Nitcher. Ruth and Bruce made their home in Ottawa, building a house on Beech Street in 1955 and raised their family there. They lived there happily for nearly 60 years. Ruth moved to a retirement home in 2013 and Bruce in 2017. Survivors include her three children, Dan Fleming of Lawrence, Jim Fleming of Topeka, and Nancy Baldwin (Robert) of Massapequa, New York; brother, Kenneth Nitcher (Eula) of Pomona; sister-in-law, Helen Smith of Salina; four grandchildren, Bob Baldwin (Jennifer) of Farmingdale, New York, Amy Cavallo (Michael) of Smithtown, New York, Kena Fleming of Topeka and Kasey Fleming (Hannah) of Topeka; six great-grandchildren, Henry Galbraith, Brooklyn Rhodes, Bobby Baldwin, Michael, Keller and Lucy Cavallo; and many nieces and nephews. Ruth was a receptionist at the Ottawa Medical Clinic for 16 years for Drs. Hadley, Strehlow and Philgreen. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Ottawa and the Oxford Service Forum Sunday School Class, past president of the United Methodist Women and Eugene Field PTA. She enjoyed working with the Girl Scouts and 4-H and was a member of the ladies “Happy Hour Club” for forty years. Ruth helped with Meals on Wheels for many years and volunteered with the Ransom Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and local nursing homes. She loved people and always looked for the “good” in everyone. Ruth was a loving and devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She will be deeply missed and will remain in the hearts and thoughts of her family and friends forever. The family suggests memorial contributions to First United Methodist Church c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Family and friends are encouraged to post their condolences and memories on Ruth’s Tribute Wall at www.dengelmortuary.com