Ruth Tuma

Ruth Elizabeth Tuma, daughter of Nicholas and Lillie (Kirby) Cunningham, was born Nov. 9, 1931, in Fairbury, Neb. She passed away Nov. 6, 2020, at the Heritage Care Center in Fairbury at the age of 88.

She grew up on a farm north of Reynolds, Neb., and graduated from Fairbury High School. She attended college at Marymount in Salina and Fairbury College to obtain her teaching certificate.

She was united in marriage to Richard Tuma on May 27, 1950, and they moved to their farm north of Morrowville in 1954 where they had a dairy for many years. She taught school in several one room schoolhouses in both Kansas and Nebraska and the Mahaska Grade School until she retired from teaching in 1962 to begin milking cows full time on their dairy farm.

Ruth loved to read and visit with family, friends and neighbors.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and brother, James Cunningham.

Survivors include her son Robert (Amy) Tuma, of Morrowville, daughter RoseAnn (Patrick) Zach, of Morrowville, grandsons Trent Tuma, of Morrowville, Justin Tuma and Jessie Tuma, both of California, granddaughters Brooke Tuma and Rebecca Zach, both of Morrowville, sisters-in-law LouAnn Wurm and Patsy Tuma, both of Fairbury, and Patricia Cunningham, of Hebron.

Graveside services will be Nov. 11 at 1 p.m. at the Mahaska Cemetery. Memorials will go to the family’s choice. Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Washington County News • Nov. 12, 2020