Ruth Cook Johnson was born Oct. 20, 1920, on a farm four miles east of Haven, the youngest child of William Perry and Ida Mae Sullivan Cook.

She attended Mt. Hope Grade School and Haven High School, graduating in 1938.

On March 15, 1940, she married Ernest Eugene Johnson. He died Aug. 16, 1998.

Ruth was a farm wife in Valley Township for 41 years. She also worked as a clerk at J.C. Penney and Wiley's Department Store. They retired to Hutchinson in 1981 and wintered in Phoenix for 25 years.

Survivors include: a son, Perry Johnson and his wife Linda of Gardena, Calif.; two daughters, Karen Fager and husband Ted of Hutchinson, and Susan Johnson of Hutchinson; five grandchildren; two step grandchildren; three step great-grandchildren; two step great great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Ruth was preceded in death by four brothers, Arthur Carroll Cook, Kenneth Bradley Cook, Corlin W. Cook, Paul Sullivan Cook; and sister, Donna Marie Cook Wagner.

Memorial service will be 1:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30, 2011, at Buhler Sunshine Home Chapel, with Chaplains Art Maddock and LeNora Duerksen officiating. Private family burial will be at Burrton Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Dec. 22 and 23, with the family to receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23, 2011, at Elliott Mortuary.

Memorials may be made to Hospice Care of Kansas or Buhler Sunshine Home, in care of the mortuary.