Ruth Baldwin

Ruth Marlyne Baldwin of Bartlesville, OK, walked into Jesus’ arms on Thursday, January 24, 2019, at 1:00 a.m., from her residence at Larksfield Place in Wichita, KS. Ruth was born on July 30, 1923, to Carol and Ermal (Houlton) Sager in Florence, KS. She married her childhood friend’s brother, Eberle Baldwin, twice—by proxy in Emporia, KS, on July 27, 1946, and again when she joined him at his duty station with the U.S. Army in Germany on December 7, 1946. She and Eb loved to celebrate two anniversaries per year. They celebrated one hundred twenty-nine anniversaries.

Ruth graduated from Kansas State Teachers College (now Emporia State University). Afterward she taught school in Spearville, KS, for one year before marrying. Together, Ruth and Eb worshiped and served faithfully at East Cross United Methodist Church in Bartlesville, OK, where they lived the majority of their married life. She moved to Wichita, KS, in February 2015 where she lived at Larksfield Place until her death.

Ruth was notoriously selfless. She enjoyed sewing and baking, but always employed these things in serving others. She made countless cross-stitched Christmas stockings for her grandkids and treasured, unique gifts for others. Her special kitchen treats are relished family memories with “peanut butter things” and raisin bars in a close contest for favorites. Apple sauce chocolate chip cake originated in Grandma’s kitchen and it’s the most requested birthday cake in our family.

Athleticism runs in the Baldwin family. Ruth played ladies’ competitive volleyball for Phillips 66 for a time. But none of her own hobbies came before family. She was a team-mom supporting her kids in their individual swimming careers for many years. Every morning, she woke at 4:30 to fix a hot breakfast for everyone before early workouts. She sacrificed countless weekends at swim meets, often traveling quite a distance.

Ruth was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother (10) and great-grandmother (22+). She is survived by her children, Gary (Judi) of Prescott, AZ, Richard (Candy) of Lee’s Summit, MO and Janis (Barry) Blades of Wichita; sister-in-law, Sue (Baldwin) Campbell of El Cajon, CA, and sister-in-law, Opal Sager of Emporia, KS.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Hannah Lou; brothers, Bob and Jack; and her husband, Eb.

A celebration of Ruth’s life will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, February 1, at Eastminster Presbyterian Church in Wichita, KS. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established with Larksfield Place Caring & Sharing Fund and Eastminster Presbyterian Church.