JoAnn Ruehman's Obituary
JoAnn Ruehman, 73, passed away February 2, 2015 at the Rafter R Ranch in Fall River, KS surrounded by her husband of 48 years, William, and their two daughters, Kirsten and Kari.
Born in Saint Paul, MN on November 27, 1941, to Orville and Marion (Fosvig) Cluck, JoAnn pursued a lifelong commitment to educating herself and others. She graduated from Cedar Crest College in 1963, and went to work at the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission’s Argonne Cancer Research Hospital in Chicago, IL, where she met cowboy and future husband, William Ruehman.
In the mid-70’s, they moved from the Chicago area to Fall River, KS to pursue his work at Wolf Creek Nuclear Power Plant and to live a life on the range.
For 33 years she worked as Greenwood County Hospital’s Education Coordinator in Eureka, KS. She kept active in her community of Fall River by teaching Sunday school at the Christian Church, serving at the Senior Center during the annual Fall River BBQ, organizing children’s activities during the holidays and holding an office on the City Council.
Best known for her beautiful smile, generous spirit, inquisitive nature and creativity, JoAnn enjoyed bringing different ideas from around the world into Southeast Kansas. She instilled cultural curiosity in her girls and their classmates through cooking ethnically diverse foods, teaching them to use Chinese chopsticks and adding heritage costumes to the dress-up trunk.
JoAnn once claimed her “Greatest Adventure” was participating in the Elderhostel Astronaut Camp at the Kansas Cosmosphere in 1998 honoring pioneer astronaut John Glenn’s return to space at 77 years of age. Her personal motto was: “The real voyage of discovery does not consist of discovering new lands, but in seeing with new eyes.”
In addition to her husband, William Ruehman, of Fall River, KS and two daughters Kirsten Ruehman and Kari Ruehman, both of Austin, TX, she is survived by stepson, Bill Ruehman (Kathy) of Elk City, KS; grandson, Marshall Ruehman, Claremore, OK; sister, Mary Jo Potter (Dr. William Z.) of Philadelphia, PA and Washington D.C.; sisters-in-law Phyllis Ruehman, Montfort, WI and Susan Ruehman, Portage, IN; aunt, Ruth Thorson, Cumberland, WI; cousins, Judi Berdis, Bert Berdis, James Waletzko, Scott Waletzko, Marjorie (Waletzko) Ronchi, Catherine (Waletzko) Tyler, David Thorson, Richard Thorson, Jean (Thorson) Odell, and Judith (Thorson) Catlin; and nieces, Marie (Potter) Eibel, Leah Potter, Chris Ruehman, and Ethyl Ruehman, as well as
all of their spouses and children.
She was preceded in death by her parents; aunt, Dorothy Waletzko; cousin, Thomas Waletzko; and nephews, Steven Ruehman and Keith Ruehman.
At the request of JoAnn, no funeral or memorial services will be held. Personal condolences and memories of JoAnn will be cherished and may be sent in care of: Countryside Funeral Home, 420 S. 20th St., P.O. Box 247, Fredonia, Kansas 66736.
Memorial donations may be made to the “China Pioneer Fund” (a scholarship fund for law students enrolled in a China international study program) and sent to: China Pioneer Fund, c/o Sister Grace Walle, St. Mary’s University, One Camino Santa Maria, San Antonio, Texas 78228.
What’s your fondest memory of JoAnn?
What’s a lesson you learned from JoAnn?
Share a story where JoAnn's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with JoAnn you’ll never forget.
How did JoAnn make you smile?