Ruth M. Stephens, 82, of Topeka, KS, formerly of Corning, died Tuesday, September 23, 2003, at her home. She moved to Topeka in October of 2002 from Yates Center, KS.

She was born January 14, 1921, on a farm in Grant Township, east of Havensville, KS, the daughter of George T. and Ruth Ingram Holsapple. She attended Buckeye School, two years at Havensville High School, and graduated from Corning High School in 1939. After working as a night switchboard operator at the telephone company in Corning for two years, she worked as a clerk and meat cutter at the Blair Grocery Store in Centralia.

On April 11, 1942, she married William L. Stephens in Wathena, KS. They lived in Corning. She worked at the Sage Grocery Store part time until 1969, when they moved to Tecumseh. In 1994 they relocated to Yates Center to be near her daughter. On June 16, 1998, her husband William preceded her in death.

Ruth was a member of the United Methodist Church, the Armstrong-Moyer Post #37 of the American Legion Auxiliary, and the Eastern Star, all in Corning. She was an avid reader, enjoyed handiwork, quilting, embroidery, and had a large garden. She canned food and gave garden produce to family and friends.

Survivors are two sons, William Stephens of Tecumseh, KS and Kenneth Stephens of Kuttawa, KY; two daughters, Rosemary Mangold of Taber, Alberta, Canada and Sophia Castro of Yates Center, KS; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by a stillborn brother, George Holsapple, Jr.

Funeral services will be 10 AM Saturday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Burial will be in the Corning Cemetery. Family will meet with friends from 7 to 8 PM Friday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be given for the United Methodist Church in Corning or for the donor’s choice, and sent in care of the family.