Ruth Alma (Ferland) Rempe

Former Plainville resident Ruth Alma (Ferland) Rempe, 91, of Leoti, passed away on Monday, February 17, 2025. 

She was born on November 9, 1933, in Damar, Kansas, the sixth of eleven children to Euclide and Marie (Benoit) Ferland. Six siblings have departed, and four surviving siblings include Jackie Steckline, Al Ferland, Loretta Zweifel, and Betty Ferland.

Ruth attended Damar High School, where she was a cheerleader, and graduated as a valedictorian in 1951. She earned a scholarship to Marymount College in Salina and studied business. Ruth was introduced to Paul Rempe of Plainville, and they were married on May 4, 1954. Together, they raised a family of seven on the Rempe farm outside of Plainville, where she was the Chief Financial Officer. A devout Catholic, Ruth was deeply committed to her faith.

Ruth enjoyed many activities, including gardening, sewing, drawing, baking, canning, and homemaking. She loved playing cards and dancing to big band music—especially to the tunes of Lawrence Welk—with her favorite partner, Paul. Ruth was an active member of D of I and the Ladies Auxiliary, and she dedicated much of her time to volunteer work. She helped with blood drives, cancer fundraisers, cooking for funerals, Bible study classes, and the food pantry.

She is survived by her loving family: Mary Abbott of Brighton, Colo., Christine Marcy (Mike) of Leoti, Robert Rempe (Belinda) of Mt. View, Ark., Louise VanDyke, Anthony Rempe (Dawn) of Cartersville, Ga., Daniel Rempe (Vonda) of Piedmont, Okla., and Colette Gilliland (Drew) of Gold Hill, Ore.; 12 grandchildren, Brandi Bond (Ernest), Steven Marcy (Brandy), Brandt Abbott, Bill VanDyke (Alisha), Amanda Baker (Allen), Nichole Baker (Jason), Lance Rempe, Logan Rempe (Hannah), Garrett Rempe (Emily), Nate Rempe, Ike Gilliland, and Andrea Gilliland; 14 great-grandchildren; and many other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul; son-in-law, Larry Abbott; and six siblings, Julie, Raymond, Archie, Marcella, Levi, and Gilbert.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, February 24, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Plainville. Burial will follow at the Sacred Heart Cemetery, and meal at the K of C Hall. Visitation will be on Sunday from 6-8 p.m., with a Vigil and Rosary Service at 7 p.m. at the church in Plainville.

Memorials are suggested to Sacred Heart School, Wichita County 4H Council-Leoti, or Wichita County LTC-Leoti and may be sent to Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd, Plainville, KS 67663.