Ruth Esther Shorthill

OBITUARY: Ruth Esther Kimbal Shorthill
Ruth Esther Kimbal Shorthill, 84, of Topeka, passed away Tuesday, March 23, 2010, at Brewster Health Center. She was born January 23, 1926, on the family farm north of Topeka, the daughter of Ralph and Ina Kannarr Kimbal. Ruth Esther graduated from Seaman High School in 1943 and Kansas State University in 1947. She married Robert Verno Shorthill on June 15, 1947, in Topeka, at Kansas Avenue Methodist Church. Ruth Esther was a member of Seaman Congregational Church, Indian Creek Grange, Kansas State Grange, and National Grange. She was very active in the community – 4-H Leader, Rochester Cemetery Board Member, Election Board Member, church choir member and youth fellowship leader, long-time youth director for the Kansas State Grange, and Shawnee North Arts & Crafts teacher. She is survived by son, Allan Shorthill and wife Deborah of Wichita; daughter Rachel Vukas and husband Bob of Topeka; granddaughter, Sarah Shorthill Schmidt and husband Luke of Socorro, New Mexico. A funeral service will be at 11:00 AM, Saturday, March 27, 2010, at Seaman Congregational Church. Interment will be at Rochester Cemetery following the service. Ruth Esther will lie in state after 3:00 PM, Friday, at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence Ave., Topeka. Memorial contributions may be made to Seaman Congregational Church, 2036 NW Taylor, Topeka, KS 66608 or Brewster Place Foundation, 1205 SW 29th St., Topeka, KS 66611.