Michelle Lynn Ruth

Michelle Lynn Ruth, age 58 years, of Jefferson City, Missouri, passed away Saturday, October 29, 2016. Michelle was born on August 28, 1958, in Kansas City, Missouri, a daughter of Joe and June (Paxson) Landrum. A resident of Jefferson City for the majority of her life, Michelle was a 1976 graduate of Jefferson City High School. She earned her bachelor's degree in business administration in 1980, from the University of Missouri in Columbia where she was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. Michelle was married on August 9, 1980, in Jefferson City, Missouri to John A. Ruth. Immediately after they were married, they lived in Columbia, Missouri where Michelle delayed her professional career to support John while he attended law school. Thereafter, Michelle took a marketing position with a national retailer in Kansas City. She soon realized, as her father had long suggested, that her true calling was to be a teacher. She then attended the University of Missouri in Kansas City and completed the course work necessary to obtain her teaching certification. Michelle was proud to be a math teacher for 25 years until her retirement on June 30, 2013. She spent most of her teaching career with the Jefferson City Public Schools system working at the Simonsen 9th Grade Center. Michelle was dedicated to educating her students and cared about preparing her students, not only for the requirements of her class, but for lessons that may be used throughout the student's life. She created lasting relationships with them and gave many of them the confidence to succeed in future years. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and a member of P.E.O., Chapter FS. She looked forward to her visits with the ladies of her S.O.S. group and, following retirement, her weekly game of Mahjong with her friends. Michelle adored her family and loved being a wife, mother, and Mimi to her grandchildren. She resisted ever being the center of attention and preferred to support the activities and hobbies of her family. She always enjoyed the annual family gatherings at Table Rock Lake, cooking for a full house, and preparing for tailgates at Mizzou football games. She cherished the time she spent supporting her two sons as they grew up playing sports as well as participating in scouting and church activities. Survivors include her loving husband of 36 years, John A. Ruth; two sons, John L. Ruth and his wife Kasey of Jefferson City, Missouri; Travis S. Ruth and his wife Brenna of Palmyra, Missouri; five grandchildren, Kinley, Kamdyn, and Kylin Ruth, all of Jefferson City and Easton and Maddox Ruth, both of Palmyra; her parents, Joe and June Landrum of Jefferson City; one sister, Cindy Williams and her husband Michael of Edmond, Oklahoma; her father and mother-in-law, John E. and Lois Ruth, one brother-in-law, Mitchell Ruth and his wife Vicky of Jefferson City; one sister-in-law, Rita Starnes and her husband Craig of Jefferson City; and six nieces and nephews: Ryan Starnes, Dallas, Texas; Brent Starnes, Boulder, Colorado; Caleb Ruth and Katie Ruth, both of Jefferson City; and Bret Williams and Jacob Williams, both of Edmond, Oklahoma. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Ellery and Annie Landrum. Visitation will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, 324 Madison St., Jefferson City, Missouri, from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, November 3, 2016. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 4, 2016, at the First Presbyterian Church with the Reverend Dr. Robert Erickson and the Reverend Dr. David Henry officiating. Graveside services and interment will be held at Riverview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Jefferson City Public Schools Foundation, P.O. Box 2152, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102 or the Southwest Early Childhood Center, 812 St. Mary's Blvd., Jefferson City, Missouri 65109. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary. www.freemanmortuary.com