Esther L. Ruder, 94, Hays, died Saturday, April 10, 2021 at Gove County Medical Center Long Term Care.
She was born October 24, 1926 in Munjor, the daughter of Lawrence and Katherine (Doerfler) Rohr. On November 4, 1946 she was united in marriage to Edwin R. Ruder in Hays, and they celebrated 34 years of marriage before he preceded her in death on July 7, 1981. Esther worked at Travenol for ten years. Her memberships include St. Joseph Catholic Church and the VFW Post #9076 Auxiliary. She enjoyed reading, doing crossword puzzles and wordsearches, researching family genealogy, and was an avid Kansas City Royals fan. She loved her family, having her grandchildren at her home, and sharing her love of cooking, baking cookies, and embroidering tea towels with them.
Survivors include two sons: Clifford Ruder and wife Irene of Guam and Harvey Ruder and wife Roxie of Corpus Christi, TX, a daughter: Joyce Adams and husband Rocky of Quinter, two brothers: Floyd Rohr and wife Margie of Hays and Walter Rohr of Florida, a sister: Ruth Pfeifer of Hays, 13 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband: Edwin, a son: David Ruder, a daughter: Sharon Nelson, five brothers: Elmer, Bert, Vern, Fr. Vincent, and Leroy Rohr, a sister: Minnie Zimmerman, a grandson: Clayton Ruder, and a great granddaughter: Alexandra Thimesch.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, with Fr. Matthew Cowan officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00 pm until 8:00 on Tuesday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Wednesday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. A vigil service will be at 6:30 pm followed by a VFW Auxiliary Rosary at 7:00 pm, both on Tuesday at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to TMP-Marian Endowment Foundation or to The Capuchins for the friars’ retirement care. Condolences and memories of Esther may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com