Ruth Ann (Bemmels) Pruitt, 86, Hays, died Friday, April 18, 2025 at Hays Good Samaritan Society after many years of Multiple Sclerosis, which contributed to her death.
She was born May 28, 1938 in Boulder, Colorado, the daughter of William and Esther (Powers) Bemmels. On August 7, 1960, she was married to Roger A. Pruitt in Ottawa, Kansas. Ruth grew up in Ottawa and graduated from Ottawa High School in 1956. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry and education from Ottawa University in 1960 and a Master’s Degree from Fort Hays State University in 1978. She taught mathematics in Altamont, Kansas at Labette County Community High School, and in Jefferson County, Colorado and Hays, Kansas. She taught both part-time and full-time in the Mathematics and Computer Science Department at Fort Hays State University from 1976 until 1997 when she retired.
Ruth was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Hays, having served on the Session and facilitated the Presbyterian Women’s Bible study. She was also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, having served as Regent for six years and Registrar for a total of more than six years. She enjoyed helping prospective members trace their genealogy. While teaching, Ruth belonged to the Kansas Association of Teachers of Mathematics. She also enjoyed playing Bridge with a group of women.
Survivors include her husband Roger, her two sons, David Pruitt and Douglas Pruitt and wife Amy Malone-Pruitt, six grandchildren, Morgan, Daniel, Jennifer, Andrew, Helen, and Fiona Pruitt, and her brother William Bemmels and wife Mary.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her daughter-in-law Nicola Pruitt.
Funeral Services will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, June 21, 2025 at the First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Christine Wagner officiating. Inurnment will be at 2:00 pm in Elmwood Cemetery in Beloit. The family will receive friends from 9:00 am until service time at the church. Memorials are suggested to Daughters of the American Revolution or to Hays Good Samaritan Society. Funeral arrangements are in the care of Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home and concolences and memories of Ruth may be shared with her family at www.haysmemorial.com