Hays -- Amella Ruder, 78, died Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003 at St. John's of Hays Nursing Home. She was born Jan. 6, 1925 in Emmeram to John J. and Margaret M. (Dreiling) Denning.

She married Anthony "Tony" Ruder on June 14, 1948 in Russell.

She was a graduate of Russell High School. She was a child-care provided and homemaker. She was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, member and past treasurer of the Hays VFW Auxiliary, and was a longtime supporter of St. Joseph Military Academy and Thomas More Prep-Marian High School, all of Hays.

Survivors include her husband, of the home; four sons, Roger, Universal City, Texas, Rod and Russ, both of Hays, and Ron, Frisco, Texas; a daughter, RaNell Ruder, Salina; three brothers, Dennis Denning, Salina, Adlore Denning, Scottsdale, Ariz., and Carroll Denning, Overland Park; 13 grandchildren; and a greatgrandchild.

She was preceded in death by a grandchild, Jeffrey Ruder; five brothers, Ralphie, Cyril, Max, Art and Ralph Denning, and four sisters, Stella Denning, Alberta Kuhn, Zita Compton and Ida Denning.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Hays; burial in St. Joseph Cemetery. Brock's North Hill Chapel, 2509 Vine, Hays, was in charge.

Memorials are suggested to TMP-Marian or the church. Hays Daily News

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She was a 1944 graduate of Russell High School. On June 14, 1948, she married Anthony Ruder in the Russell Catholic Church. They have five children: Roger, Rod, RaNell, Ron and Russ.

Armella's life was built upon the three Fs - family, faith and friends. She never missed an opportunity to spend time with family, whether at a ballpark, a gym, a family gathering or a side trip to Emmeram.

She played an active role in St. Mary's Catholic Church of Hays. She often served on church committees and was a fixture at church gatherings.

She ran her house like a bus depot. She never knew who would be there in the morning, and she really didn't care. She was "Ma Armella" to an ever-changing cast of her children's friends, and they always were welcome.