Ruthe Steele left this world a little better place for having lived in it. She was loved by so many.
Ruthe was born Nov. 2, 1944, in Chanute to Viola and Everett Olson. They lived on a farm about six miles west of Chanute in a Swedish community named Vilas. She had two older sisters, Marie (Olson) Larson, Natchitoches, Louisiana, and Jean (Olson) Anderson, Meriden, and a younger sister, Gloria (Olson) Loucif, Alvor, Portugal.
Ruthe attended Sorghum Valley Grade School, was a member of the Vilas Vikings 4-H Club and graduated from Midway High School, Buffalo. Ruthe earned a nursing degree from Trinity Lutheran School of Nursing in Kansas City. She married Gary Steele in 1965. Their daughter, Leslie, was born on July 13, 1978. Ruthe worked as a nurse in several different hospitals, nursing homes and grade schools. She attended Unity Church in Topeka and was a volunteer for her daughter’s 4-H Club in Grantville.
A huge animal lover, Ruthe was a vegetarian and had many cherished fur friends over the years. She was a passionate advocate for the humane treatment of animals everywhere.
Later in her career, Ruthe returned to school to become a teacher of students with visual impairments. Her dedication to students and kids everywhere was legendary. Ruthe worked for Chautauqua County USD 286 until she retired. Ruthe loved to visit her grown daughter wherever she lived and traveled to Australia, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Diego.
Ruthe lived in Howard for over 20 years, where she had many friends. Some of her favorite things to do included walks with her dog, yoga classes and getting a double chocolate malt at Toots Drive-In.
Ruthe died on Dec. 11, 2024, with her daughter, Leslie, by her side.
A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec 17, at Countryside Funeral Home in Howard.
The family suggests memorials to the Chautauqua County Animal Shelter in Sedan, and these can be mailed to or left with the funeral home.
Services are entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, P.O. Box 1233, Howard, KS, 67349.