Gloria Joyce Ruddy

Gloria J. Ruddy, age 70, of Topeka passed away Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at Midland Hospice House. Gloria was born March 19, 1947 in Topeka the daughter of Clayton and Edith Smith Frisbie. She graduated from Topeka High School in 1965. She married Donald Ruddy August 21, 1965 in Topeka. He preceded her in death April 14, 1995. Gloria was a member of the Oakland United Methodist Church. She enjoyed sewing, bowling, skating and square dancing throughout the Topeka area.

Family was very important to Gloria and her family was involved in roller skating when she was a child and continued when she started her family. Many hours spend on the road going to competitions and winning many awards. Most family trips were centered around roller skating. When she was little, her brother Chuck, was her partner in the pair category. If it was not for the Roll-Away Skating Rink, she would not have met the love of her life, Don Ruddy. All of Gloria’s kids learned how to skate before they could walk.

Gloria and Don Ruddy along with their children, started square dancing in the spring of 1983. Don and Gloria were members of the Wheatheart Squares, Top-Kan Twirlers, Plus Squares, Advanced Workshop, and Roller Skating Squares. Because of their children, they were also honorary members of Cap-Teen Squares, all in the Topeka area. Even after Don’s passing, and her parents, Gloria continued dancing and found comfort on the dance floor where you could forget your troubles and enjoy dancing and the many friends acquired through this activity. Her and her family even traveled to national conventions all over the United States. Her brother Chuck even joined her on the dance floor sometimes. Later in her life she joined the Kuntry Kuzzins and the Friendship Squares in Topeka and Kansas City Plus, in Kansas City. Gloria’s good nature made her an easy target to be picked on that teased by friends and family. She even adopted the name “Trouble” and had a badge made with this title and wore it proudly. Gloria’s love for her family and dancing has her in heaven in the Grand Square almighty smiling, laughing, and enjoying every minute.

She is survived by a son, Gary (Tammy) Ruddy of Topeka; two daughters, Donna (Dana) Schirmer of Berryton and Rhonda Ruddy of Luverne, Minnesota; a brother, Chuck Frisbie of Topeka; five grandchildren, Ashley (Rob), Austin, Madeline, Logan and Tegan Ruddy and two great grandchildren, Addisyn and Gracelyn Uitts.

Funeral services will be Monday, January 8, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at the Oakland United Methodist Church. She will lie in state Sunday from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. with visitation from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the Davidson Funeral Home. Interment will be a the Penwell Gable Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Midland Hospice Care or the Oakland United Methodist Church and sent in care of the Davidson Funeral Home. davidsonfuneral.com.