Ruth Ann Nilhas, 90 died Friday, July 6, 2018 at the Trego County Long Term Care Facility in WaKeeney. Ruth Ann was born September 2, 1927 in rural Trego County, the daughter of John Biehler and Leta Merle (Hitt) Biehler. She was a teacher following her graduation from Fort Hays State University in 1950 and a loving mother and wife devoted to the family farm and the lives of her family in the years that followed.
On August 6, 1955 she married Lloyd Nilhas at the First United Methodist Church in Collyer, KS. Lloyd preceded her in death on September 18, 2016. Survivors include 2 sons, Steve Nilhas and wife Elena, Littleton, New Hampshire; John Nilhas and wife Vae, WaKeeney, Kansas; and 1 daughter Jill McReynolds and husband Jeff, Hays, Kansas; 6 grandchildren, Amy Lewis and husband Mike, Tyrel Nilhas and wife Breanne, Blake Nilhas and wife Erin, Aaron Nilhas and wife Sara, Kaitlyn McReynolds and husband Lance Sauer, and Morgan Nilhas; 2 step grandchildren, Paula and Sofia Mendez-Sanchez; and 6 great grandchildren, Brenna Flax, Braden and Ryann Lewis, Adalyn and Aubree Nilhas, and Kalie Nilhas. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother Wayne Biehler.
Ruth Ann took great pride that she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with Teacher Certification from Fort Hays State University in 1950 and put her knowledge to great use while teaching accounting and shorthand at Bazine High School for three years and Dighton High School for one year. During her time at Fort Hays State, she was active in several campus organizations including the Tigerettes, YWCA, Campus Booster Council, and Alpha Sigma Alpha which then was a professional sorority made up of teachers.
Upon her marriage to Lloyd, Ruth Ann moved to rural Gove County, Kansas and lived on a farm until 1961 when they purchased a ranch located East of Wakeeney in Trego County Kansas. Upon moving to Trego County, Lloyd and Ruth Ann immediately began to refurbish the house that was located on the property. Together, they made a home for themselves along with their sons Steve and John and a few years later they welcomed Jill, their third child. Lloyd and Ruth Ann lived on the ranch until 1980 when they moved to WaKeeney. She went to live in the Assisted Living at the Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital in 2011 and recently the Long Term Care where she remained until her death.
During Ruth Ann’s years on the farm, she was a homemaker who prepared and delivered many meals to the harvest fields, made parts runs to help keep the machinery running, and raised her children making sure they always did their school work. Her commitment was vital to making the farming and ranching operation a success. She was active in the Ogallah Christian Church, the Cooperative Extension Services, Ladies Aide, TOPS Club, 4-H and many other local civic organizations. She could always be counted on to help out whenever needed.
Ruth Ann was known for her love of knitting, crocheting, and other handiworks which made their way to the homes of her family and friends. She took a special joy in making afghans for her children and grandchildren, and her famous “scrubbies” found their way around the country and the world. During her last years at the Assisted Living, she enriched the lives of others with her generosity and her positive presence. She will be missed by her friends, family, and others whose lives she touched.
Memorial service will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 14, 2018 at Ogallah Christian Church, Ogallah. Inurnment will be in the Ogallah Cemetery.
Visitation will be Friday evening, from 5 to 7 at the funeral home in WaKeeney.
The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, memorials to the Humane Society of the High Plains in Hays, Kansas, the Wakeeney City Library, or the Ogallah Christian Church. Checks made to the organization my be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.