Lincoln Sentinel-Republican, Feb. 3, 2000

Ruth Irene Hunter
Ruth Irene Hunter, 104, of Wichita, died Monday, Jan. 31, 2000.
She was a Wichita Public School elementary teacher.
She was a member of the St. Luke's Presbyterian Church of Wichita; the Daughters of the Civil War Veterans; and a life member of Lincoln County OES.
Survivors include 26 nieces and nephews.
Graveside services are set for 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3, at Highland Cemetery in Minneapolis.

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Family always came first with Aunt Ruth; we all loved her! Throughout her teaching career, she was also loved by the first graders she taught for so many years. She had a wonderful sense of humor, and loved to tease. She'd tell tall tales in such a way that you didn't see the "gotcha!" coming. Although born in the middle of the pack of Hunter children, she was the last to die. Four years before her death, at age 100, the two remaining members of her generation (sisters-in-law Ruth and Mable Hunter) joined a throng of nieces and nephews in honoring her and celebrating this achievement in passing the century mark. Her life stretched into three centuries before being called Home.
For her 103rd birthday, niece Margaret (sister Neva's daughter) wrote the following which was published in the Lincoln Sentinel-Republican:

Aunt Ruth

The wrinkles on your face tell a story.
A story that spans part of two centuries.
A patriotic girl who loved the farm,
A school teacher who loved little children.
Your remember gathering cow chips for fuel,
You milked cows, fed chickens and pigs, and
You lived through two World Wars and three
others what weren't called wars — but were.
You lost a brother in the 1919 flu, and
during the Depression you helped your kin,
Because you had a better job than some.
You and your mother fed hobos and the bum.
Do you muse on those days of long ago?
And of when you were able to raise roses?
Remember the fun with your faithful beau?
I know you remember the Harmony Church,
And your good friend Reverend Bradbury.
Then came the granddaddy of all times, the Depression,
Followed by walls of dust that rolled in wearily.
You didn't change; you still had a joke or a pun.
You learned to trust God in a new way.
During World War II you shared your ration stamps,
Later you bought a home of your own.
We rejoiced with you. It was well worth the hunt.
We could depend on you; you were strong,
Even if we did tease you about being the family runt.
We were glad you enjoyed your retirement years.
You visited family and traveled overseas.
From traveling to your first job on horseback
To riding in comfort on a jet plane!
From a little girl wishing on the evening star
To watching television and seeing a man on the moon!
What a story your face tells us!
May your nieces and nephews be inspired by you.