Ruth Ellen (Payne) Butler, a life-long resident of KS, died on August 15, 2022, at the age of 96.  Ruth was born on December 24, 1925, to William Allen and Lina Payne, their only child.  Ruth grew up in Oskaloosa, KS.  In high school, at a height of approximately 6 feet, she was known as the basketball star.  She graduated from KU in 1947 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and was an active member of the Beta Kappa Chapter of Delta Gamma where she made many long-lasting friendships.

As a young woman, Ruth was known for her beauty and love of life.  She was willing to try anything including flying lessons, and she was always ready for a good time.  She married her husband, Don Butler, in 1953.  Their love for travel took them around the world.  They especially enjoyed boating and other water activities and spent much of their time at the surrounding lakes and in Florida and Mexico—always with friends.

Ruth’s professional life was spent at Kansas City Power & Light Company.  Over her 40+ year tenure, she was the executive assistant for many corporate executives including the CEO, Robert Zimmerman.  She had wonderful stories to tell about being a professional woman in the 40’s— dressed in white gloves with a hat and after work drinks at the Drum Room across the street in downtown Kansas City.

Ruth was a wonderful friend and valued each and every friendship—her sorority sisters, professional colleagues, travel buddies, and the many others she met throughout her life.  In her memory her remaining friends, and children of those friends, salute Ruth— “A life well lived.”

Assistance by Funeral Advocates, LLC.

 

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