Ruth Marie Cook, age 97, of Osawatomie, Kansas died July 30, 2008 at the Ottawa Retirement Village.

Ruth was born May 27, 1911. She and her younger brother were raised by their maternal grandparents. She attended school in Osawatomie graduating from Osawatomie High School with the Class of 1932.

She was married July 3, 1937 to Carl Winford Cook at Dallas, Texas. They became the parents of one daughter.

Ruth worked at the Osawatomie State Hospital as a Psychiatric Aide. She began working there in October of 1953 and retired in July of 1973.

Ruth was a softball and basketball player in her younger days. She enjoyed playing cards, cooking, and spending time with family. She was known to have a good sense of humor and would give anyone her last penny as long as they didn't make her angry.

She was a member of the Rebekah's, the Eastern Star, the Ladies' Elks, and the Osawatomie Senior Center where she also was a volunteer.

She was preceded in death by her husband Carl who died January 11, 1975, her daughter Mary Kay Madl who died in March of 1984, and her brother Tom Styx.

She is survived by four grandchildren Valorie Thery of Jefferson City, Missouri, Carl Madl of New Strawn, Kansas, Gwen Madl of Ottawa, and Lynn Percy of Ottawa; 7 great grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, August 4, 2008 at the Osawatomie Cemetery under the direction of the Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home. Memorials are to the Rebekah Lodge #336.