Ruth E. Tuma

Ruth Elizabeth Tuma, daughter of Nicholas & Lillie (Kirby) Cunningham, was born November 9, 1931, in Fairbury, NE.  She passed away November 6, 2020 at the Heritage Care Center in Fairbury, NE at the age of 88.

She grew up on a farm north of Reynolds, NE and graduated from Fairbury High School.  She attended college at Marymount in Salina, KS and Fairbury College to obtain her teaching certificate.

She was united in marriage to Richard Tuma on May 27, 1950, and they moved to their farm north of Morrowville, KS in 1954, where they had a dairy for many years.  She taught school in several one room schoolhouses in both Kansas and Nebraska and the Mahaska Grade School until she retired from teaching in 1962 to begin milking cows full time on their dairy farm.

Ruth loved to read and visit with family, friends and neighbors.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and brother, James Cunningham.

Survivors include her son Robert (Amy) Tuma of Morrowville, KS, daughter RoseAnn (Patrick) Zach of Morrowville, KS, Grandsons Trent Tuma of Morrowville, Justin Tuma & Jessie Tuma both of California, granddaughters Brooke Tuma & Rebecca Zach, both of Morrowville, sisters-in-law LouAnn Wurm & Patsy Tuma, both of Fairbury and Patricia Cunningham of Hebron.

Graveside services will be Wednesday November 11, 2020 at 1 p.m. at the Mahaska Cemetery, Mahaska KS. Memorials will go to the Family’s Choice.  Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.