Ruth Ensley

Ruth Ensley, age 90, of Colony, Kansas, passed away on December 30, 2010 at Anderson County Long Term Care, Garnett, Kansas. She was born November 28, 1920 at Sioux City, Iowa, the daughter of Daniel Webster Swender and Clarabelle (Morgan) Swender. She graduated from Kincaid High School in Kincaid, Kansas. She then received her Teacher Certificate from Emporia State University. Ruth was united in marriage to Gordon Murray Ensley on December 25, 1940 in Kincaid, Kansas. This union was blessed with four children. In addition to being a homemaker and mother of four children, she was the bookkeeper for the family construction and farming business for many years while living in Anderson and Allen County. Summers were filled with visits from nieces and nephews, filled with farming activities; hauling hay, driving tractors and spending time swimming in the quarry. Family, Church and music were her passions. She loved to travel and took many pictures to share with others. Ruth traveled throughout the US with her husband for many years and chose to retire in Colony to be close to her family and friends. Although they moved frequently she was always active in the local church and community. She was a children's choir director, Sunday school leader and filled in when and where needed. Ruth was a member of the Colony Community Church. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Gordon Ensley on June 29, 2008; one daughter, Marita McDiffett; seven brothers, and one sister. She is survived by one son, Gordon Lawrence Ensley and wife Pauline of Lakeview, Oregon; two daughters, Brenda Thexton and husband Richard of Stella, Missouri; Susan Mills and husband James of Ark City, Kansas; fifteen grandchildren; fifty-five great grandchildren; three great great grandchildren; sister-in-law Lois Swender of Park City, Kansas; and brother-in-law Tom Ensley and wife Maxine of Colony, Kansas. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 3, 2011, at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel in Colony, Kansas. Burial will follow at the Colony Cemetery. Family will be present to greet friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday evening at the funeral home in Colony. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com