Ruth Mae Varney Shepherd, 84, of Hutchinson, passed away September 18, 2008, surrounded by the love of family and friends that she held so dear.

She was born on August 10, 1924, in Plevna, the daughter of Miles Standish and Lila Viola Wyatt Varney.

She was a 1942 graduate of Abbyville High School. She attended Hutchinson Community Junior College to continue studies in accounting. Following graduation, she went to work for Cessna painting planes at the Hutchinson Airport in support of the World War II effort.

On December 28, 1947, Ruth married George Lee Shepherd, originally from Copeland, KS. He preceded her in death September 13, 1993.

After a few years of living in Denver and Estes Park, Colo., they returned to Hutchinson to start a family. The couple owned and operated Justice-Mercer Flower and Gift Shop for more than 30 years on Main Street in downtown Hutchinson.

Following her husband's passing 15 years ago, Ruth became even more active as a volunteer in the community, supporting the Cosmosphere, Trinity United Methodist Church, Hospice Surviving Spouses group, Delos V. Smith Senior Center, Breast Cancer Awareness, Alzheimer's Association including the annual Memory Walk, Hutchinson Hospital Auxiliary, Reno County Bloodmobile, the hearing testing for elementary students and RSVP, to name a few.

Her children are Linda Shepherd, Wichita, Richard and Pat Shepherd, St. Charles, Ill., and her late daughter, Barbara Ann. Ruth has one grandson, Daniel, 13, of St. Charles, Ill.

The service for Ruth will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson, with the Rev. Pat Ault-Duell and Hospice Chaplin Art Maddox presiding. Friends may call from 9 am. to 9 p.m. today and Monday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the mortuary. Burial will be in Penwell-Gabel Cemetery and Mausoleum, Hutchinson.

Memorials may be sent to Hospice Care of Kansas, in care of the mortuary.

Visit www.elliottmortuary.com to leave personal condolences for the family.