CLAFLIN — Ruth N. Stephens, 86, died Aug. 3, 2017, at Clara Barton Hospital, Hoisington. She was born March 15, 1931, on the family farm in rural Coyle, Okla., the daughter of Harry and Josephine (Hoover) Stanbrough. A longtime resident of Claflin, she was a homemaker. On Dec. 4, 1949, she married Clifford Lawrence Stephens in Yuma, Arizona. He preceded her in death on Dec. 1, 2006.

Clifford and she loved traveling and camping. For many summers they were camp hosts in Colorado. In her later years, she began crocheting bird’s nests for bird rescue organizations. She loved to crochet, sew, and make ceramics.

Survivors include a son, Roger Stephens and wife Rita of Claflin; daughter Dawn Hinds and husband Randy of Meridan, Iowa; sisters, Wilda Smart Of Mountain View, Ark., and Lorena Miller of Lucerne, Calif.; three grandchildren, Shawna Roark and husband Michael of Garden City, Eric Stephens of Hays, and Elisha Chambers and husband Chad of Leon; and two great-grandchildren, Mason and Molly Roark.
She was preceded in death by infant twins, son, Bobby and daughter, Bonnie; parents, and stepfather, Luther Stanbrough; four brothers, Herman, Harland, Jack and Bill Stanbrough; six sisters, Mildred Jarvis, Annie Ramsey, Blanche Thompson, Barbra Landis, Bonnie Hurst, Izetta Allison; and an infant great-granddaughter, Morgan Roark.

Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5 at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Gene Langhofer presiding. Burial will follow in Claflin Cemetery. Friends may call 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today, with family to receive friends from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Claflin Ambulance Fund or Claflin Library in care of the funeral home.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home*
P.O. Box 146; 415 N. Main
Hoisington, KS 67544
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Aug. 4, 2017