Ruth G. Moffitt

Ruth Gauby Ditmars Moffitt, 89, died Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at her home in rural Washington County. A memorial service will be held, 11:00 a.m., Friday, May 8, 2009 at the Church of Brethren in Washington. Ruth was born on December 20, 1919 to Alva S. and Nora M. (Gauby) Ditmars on a farm southeast of Washington. She graduated from Washington High School in 1940 and attended McPherson College during 1940/1941, receiving a provisional teaching certificate. She taught lower grades in Morrowville School, and also taught in the one room schools at Emmonds, Bell and Garfield. Ruth was united in marriage to William B. Moffitt on January 9, 1946 at her parents’ home near Washington. This union was blessed with seven children. Ruth devoted herself to being a homemaker, while enjoying a large garden, a variety of farm animals, and later owned and operated a kennel. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Sherman and Lloyd Ditmars; and two sisters, Blanch Ditmars Roop and Dora Ditmars. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Bill; seven children, Linda Shank and husband Robert of Cayo, Belize, Calvin Moffitt and wife Candace of Fallon, NV, Nancy Minns and husband Garold of BelAire, KS, Ann Hartsough and husband John of North Manchester, IN, Barbara Moffitt of Washington, KS, Murial Joy and husband Rodney of Falls City, NE, James Moffitt and wife Debra of Dodge City, KS; two brothers, John Ditmars and Ray Ditmars, both of Washington; five sisters, Lucy Rose and Betty Penner, both of Washington, Ina Fike of Willow Springs, MO, Maud Lengel of Juda, WI, and Eula Thayer of Linn, KS; sixteen grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. A memorial fund has been established to Ruth’s favorite charity, Heifer International (HI). HI is a non-profit agricultural organization whose goal is to help end world hunger and poverty through self reliance and sustainability. Contributions may be sent in care of the funeral home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ruth G. Moffitt, please visit our flower store.