TOPEKA — Ruth Ann (Nichols) Towne, 87, Carbondale, died Friday, July 9, 2021, at Midland Hospice, Topeka.
She was born July 23, 1933, on the family homestead at 636 Southeast 117th Street, Carbondale, the daughter of Louis George and Cora Linia (Peterson) Nichols. She attended Elliott Grade School and graduated from Carbondale High School in 1951.
Ruth was united in marriage to Harry Robert Towne Jr. Dec. 21, 1951, in Carbondale. They had a daughter, Nancy. They later divorced.
She worked at Forbes Field Air Force Base, Topeka, and as a purchasing agent at Security Benefit, Topeka, for over 34 years, retiring in 1991. She then worked at Kohl’s, Topeka, for eight years. She was also a foster parent for over 27 years.
Ruth enjoyed embroidering and word search puzzles, as well as sightseeing for old barns and covered bridges. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family, especially watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s sports and events.
She was a member of the VFW Post 1660 and Kooties in Topeka. She was the president of the Carbondale Senior Citizens Fellowship Group for many years, was on the Carbondale City Council for five years, and was mayor of Carbondale for eight years. She was active on the Carbondale Library Board and a member of the Carbondale Friends of the Library. She worked with the Heartland Share Program for over 23 years and was an active member of the Grace Chapel Church, Carbondale, for over 60 years.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Cora; her brother, John Nichols; and an infant sister, Lucille.
She is survived by her daughter, Nancy Warren (Jim), Carbondale; her foster daughter, Cathy Crook (Gordon), Towanda; five grandchildren, Karen Barber (Anthony), Topeka, Jonathan Crook (Mattea), Eldorado, Seth Crook (Angela), Wichita, Christopher Warren (Courtney), Carbondale, and Nathaniel Warren (Iesha Billbe), Carbondale; seven great grandchildren, Josiah, Emma Grace, KayLynn, Karli, Hayes, DayLyn and Damian; and her sister-in-law, Carolyn Nichols, Carbondale.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, July 17, at Grace Chapel Church, Carbondale. Burial will follow at Yocum Cemetery, near the Wakarusa River. Visitation will be prior to the service, starting 10 a.m. at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Ruth Towne Memorial Fund (to be used for college for her great-grandchildren) and sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Ave., Lyndon, KS 66451.
Online condolences for Ruth’s family may be left at FeltnerFuneralHome.com.
