Obituary for Ruth Keesling
Ruth Keesling, 89, Nixa, MO, passed away in the afternoon Wednesday, March 10, 2021 in her home.
Ruth was born 12/28/1931 in Barton Maryland to Thomas and Elsie Mowbray. She graduated Barton High School in 1949 and received her Nursing Degree from Cumberland Memorial Hospital in Cumberland, Md. One of her first jobs as a new nurse was at Miner's Hospital, Frostburg Maryland in 1952. After her job at Miner's Hospital, Ruth traveled the United States and ended up in Denison, Iowa working for the Crawford County Memorial Hospital where she met her husband Ervin Keesling. Living in Denison, working as an Obstetrics Nurse for many years, she had three children, Tom, Lee and Mark. Ruth moved to Nixa Missouri in 1980 and began a long career with St. John's Hospital. After delivering thousands of babies over the years Ruth finally retired from Obstetrics and worked a few years at Christian Health Care of Nixa. She spent many years bringing babies into the world and spent the last few years giving comfort to those leaving the world. She fully retired in 2011. Ruth's dedication to Jesus Christ was an inspiration to family and friends. Her favorite service was the Candle Light Christmas Eve service with as many family and friends who could attend.
Ruth grew up during war time and lost her father at an early age. Her dad taught her to hunt and fish before he passed. He also taught her how to fire the coal furnace. He taught her how he did all kinds of things around the house while her sisters were "wasting time playing baby dolls". Ruth continued teaching these passions to anyone who would follow her into the woods, river or lake. She loved all sports and excelled in tennis, bowling, softball, and water skiing. When technology allowed viewing of multiple NFL football games at one time Ruth was thrilled. She was an all time "Baltimore Colts fan" and loved watching Peyton Manning quarterback the team. Her absolute favorite sporting pastime was watching her grandkids and great grandkids playing soccer. Ruth treasured visiting family back east and a yearly Florida trip with Linda and friends to visit her Aunt Tiny.
She was preceded in death by parents Thomas and Elsie (Crowe) Mowbray, sisters Doris (Mowbray) Abe, Helen (Mowbray) Grayson, and former husband Ervin Keesling. Ruth is survived by sister June (Mowbray) Ruffo and her husband Ron, son Tom Keesling, his wife Donna and their children Brandon and Amanda, Lee Keesling, his wife Eva and their children Darren (wife Barbara Jean), Andrew, and Eric (wife Rhianna), Mark Keesling and his wife, Holly and their son Jake. Ruth had eight great grandchildren, Syler, Channing, River, Amelia, Ayden, Amariah, Rowan and Haven. Lifelong family friend and "partner-in-crime and all things fun", Linda Gallentine and her son Jeff Gallentine and his wife Amy, daughters Mackenzie and Reagan, and her son Scott Gallentine and his wife Kerry and their son Ethan. Scott and Jeff grew up calling Ruth and Linda, "the Moms".
Celebration of Life will be in the Alderstgate United Methodist Church, 460 W. Aldersgate Dr., Nixa MO 65714 at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 13, 2021. Continuation of this celebration will be at the KG Ranch, 1860 N. Owen Rd., Nixa MO 65714. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to Aldersgate United Methodist Church with attention to Memorial Fund for Ruth Keesling.
Arrangement are under the care and direction of Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home in Springfield, Missouri. www.hhlohmeyer.com
Ruth was born 12/28/1931 in Barton Maryland to Thomas and Elsie Mowbray. She graduated Barton High School in 1949 and received her Nursing Degree from Cumberland Memorial Hospital in Cumberland, Md. One of her first jobs as a new nurse was at Miner's Hospital, Frostburg Maryland in 1952. After her job at Miner's Hospital, Ruth traveled the United States and ended up in Denison, Iowa working for the Crawford County Memorial Hospital where she met her husband Ervin Keesling. Living in Denison, working as an Obstetrics Nurse for many years, she had three children, Tom, Lee and Mark. Ruth moved to Nixa Missouri in 1980 and began a long career with St. John's Hospital. After delivering thousands of babies over the years Ruth finally retired from Obstetrics and worked a few years at Christian Health Care of Nixa. She spent many years bringing babies into the world and spent the last few years giving comfort to those leaving the world. She fully retired in 2011. Ruth's dedication to Jesus Christ was an inspiration to family and friends. Her favorite service was the Candle Light Christmas Eve service with as many family and friends who could attend.
Ruth grew up during war time and lost her father at an early age. Her dad taught her to hunt and fish before he passed. He also taught her how to fire the coal furnace. He taught her how he did all kinds of things around the house while her sisters were "wasting time playing baby dolls". Ruth continued teaching these passions to anyone who would follow her into the woods, river or lake. She loved all sports and excelled in tennis, bowling, softball, and water skiing. When technology allowed viewing of multiple NFL football games at one time Ruth was thrilled. She was an all time "Baltimore Colts fan" and loved watching Peyton Manning quarterback the team. Her absolute favorite sporting pastime was watching her grandkids and great grandkids playing soccer. Ruth treasured visiting family back east and a yearly Florida trip with Linda and friends to visit her Aunt Tiny.
She was preceded in death by parents Thomas and Elsie (Crowe) Mowbray, sisters Doris (Mowbray) Abe, Helen (Mowbray) Grayson, and former husband Ervin Keesling. Ruth is survived by sister June (Mowbray) Ruffo and her husband Ron, son Tom Keesling, his wife Donna and their children Brandon and Amanda, Lee Keesling, his wife Eva and their children Darren (wife Barbara Jean), Andrew, and Eric (wife Rhianna), Mark Keesling and his wife, Holly and their son Jake. Ruth had eight great grandchildren, Syler, Channing, River, Amelia, Ayden, Amariah, Rowan and Haven. Lifelong family friend and "partner-in-crime and all things fun", Linda Gallentine and her son Jeff Gallentine and his wife Amy, daughters Mackenzie and Reagan, and her son Scott Gallentine and his wife Kerry and their son Ethan. Scott and Jeff grew up calling Ruth and Linda, "the Moms".
Celebration of Life will be in the Alderstgate United Methodist Church, 460 W. Aldersgate Dr., Nixa MO 65714 at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 13, 2021. Continuation of this celebration will be at the KG Ranch, 1860 N. Owen Rd., Nixa MO 65714. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to Aldersgate United Methodist Church with attention to Memorial Fund for Ruth Keesling.
Arrangement are under the care and direction of Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home in Springfield, Missouri. www.hhlohmeyer.com