Ruth Ann Swartzendruber was born on November 9, 1939, in Weatherford, Oklahoma, the first child of Fred and Sara (Slabaugh) Swartzendruber. She died peacefully in her home at Weatherwood in Weatherford, OK on July 31, 2019 at age 79 years, 8 months, and 22 days. She was a resident of Hydro, OK until January 2019.

When she was six years old, the family moved to Kansas City, KS. Ruth Ann attended Hesston Academy, Hesston, KS, for her last two years of high school, graduating as the valedictorian of the class of 1958. She majored in home economics education at Eastern Mennonite College, Harrisonburg, VA, completing her bachelor's degree in 1962. Her teaching career began in Lansdale, PA, at Christopher Dock Mennonite High School where she taught for nine years. Ruth Ann then spent three years in Malawi, Africa, teaching and serving through Mennonite Central Committee. In a reflection of those years, she wrote that "My Africa experience provided spiritual growth and maturity in learning to live, work, and worship with people from many countries, which wasn't always easy. Even the British, who spoke my same language, did things so differently!" She returned to Oklahoma where she joined the faculty of Oklahoma Bible Academy in Enid for eleven years. Her parents had retired to Hydro and Ruth Ann returned to the community in 1985 to help care for them. As a teaching position was not immediately available in the area, she worked as a cook at Maple Lawn Manor. Ruth Ann received a master's in education from Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Weatherford, OK in 1976, later completing a media specialist teaching certificate. From 1988 until her retirement in 2004, Ruth Ann served as librarian for Hydro Public Schools, where she devotedly served students K-12.

Ruth Ann was an avid birder and enthusiastic traveler. She collected many stamps in her passport to visit friends and seek out birds and nature throughout the world. Some of her favorite destinations included Costa Rica, England, Ireland, Hawaii, Peru, Tanzania, and numerous locations across the United States. She enjoyed sharing these experiences with a friend, traveling often with Doris Slagell and later Fern Harms. Ruth Ann was an advocate for education and a champion of learning, especially through reading, travel, and relationships. After returning home, she often created a scrapbook, meticulously documenting her trip with photos, postcards, reflections, and various mementos, creating a personal treasure that was also informative and educational.

Faith was a central part of Ruth Ann's life. She accepted Christ at a young age and was baptized at Argentine Mennonite Church in Kansas City. Since returning to Oklahoma, she was an active member of Pleasant View Mennonite Church, where she served as librarian, Sunday School teacher, on the Christian Education Commission, and various other committees. Part of her legacy includes editing the PVMC centennial history book. Her love of sewing and quilting was shared with the church through the creation of several beautiful banners and wall hangings. She was a longtime volunteer at the Et Cetera Shop where she worked weekly with close church friends.

Ruth Ann will be remembered for her kindness, compassion, giving nature, detailed storytelling, and love of ice cream. She found joy in each day, through beautiful flowers and gardening, by getting lost in a good book, taking a long walk, or by enjoying a fiercely competitive Scrabble game with a friend. She is survived by her brother Robert and his wife Bonnie of Fredericksburg, TX and one nephew. She is remembered by many who loved her, called her friend and claimed her as family.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Ruth Ann's memory to the Hydro Public Library, PO Box 41, Hydro, OK 73048 or to the Hesston College International Student Fund, PO Box 3000, Hesston, KS 67062 or online https://www.hesston.edu/give , designating the gift with her name. Gifts may be made directly or through the funeral home.