Ruth J. Schultz

Obituary for Ruth Schultz (June 9, 1923 - August 28, 2024)

Ruth Johanna (Kuelper) Schultz was born to parents John Kuelper and Ursula (Tschudi) Kuelper of German/Swiss heritage on a little hill-farm in eastern Missouri on June 9, 1923.  Her dad was a carpenter, and her mom was a wise lady and the best cook and bread maker she ever knew.  Her three siblings were Arendt Kuelper, Esther Kuelper Gebelein and John C. Kuelper, all deceased.  Her growing years near Labadie, Missouri were fun times when she played in a treehouse her dad built for her, on grapevine swings and in a rippling creek.  She had pet dogs, cats, and even a pet chicken.  She often rode their horse down the road to the mailbox.  The family attended the United Church of Christ in Labadie.  She graduated from Washington High School in 1941.  Later she enrolled in Alton Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Alton, Illinois where she earned her degree as a Registered Nurse.  She had dreams of becoming a flight attendant so she could see the world.  

However, in May of 1950, she married Ernst Schultz whom she had fallen in love with when she was twelve years old while he was dating her older sister.  Ruth and Ernie had a wonderful 46 years together first in Labadie, Missouri and later in Bonner Springs, Kansas as they raised four children, James Ernst Schultz, Mary Christine (Schultz) Karimi, Randall Joseph Schultz and Leanne Marie Schultz.   Ruth continued her nursing career in geriatrics at Cedarcrest Manor in Washington and later as Director of Nursing at Good Samaritan Center in Olathe, Kansas after Ernie was transferred to Bonner Springs with the Richardson Corp.  Then they returned to Washington after Ernie’s retirement where she returned to Cedarcrest Manor for a time, and then taught nursing courses at East Central College for several years.  After Ernie’s death in 1996, Ruth again returned to Kansas to be closer to her children.

Ruth was very artistic and creative.  She produced gorgeous handmade wedding cakes, was an avid quilter at St. Peter’s and later at Grinter House in Kansas and even took classes for floral arranging.  She designed many quilts, and they are spread among her children, grandchildren, extended family, and many communities. She couldn’t look at a piece of fabric without seeing the quilt it could become.  She tended her garden and roses in the yard of every home, made paper dolls, sewed clothing, costumes, baby quilts and “Baby Buddy” dolls for all her children, grandchildren and even her great grandchildren.  

Ruth had an abundant life filled with love, work, travel and joy.  She was much loved by her extended family, churches and communities.  She will be especially missed by her four children, a son-in-law, two daughters-in-law, seven grandchildren, two great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great, great nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Friday, September 6, 2024, from 4-7 p.m. at Nieburg-Vitt, Miller Funeral Home. Memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2024, from 1-3 p.m. at St. Peter’s U.C.C. in Washington. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to a church or charity of your choice.

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