Ruth Faye Hanchett passed away January 18, 2023. Born on March 29th, 1924 to Troy and Mina Mitchell in Tony Wisconsin, Ruth was delivered in a very small shack built by her father. Ruth had a difficult childhood. Although she talked about the struggles on rare occasions, she never let it get her down.  When her parents separated, she came with her mother and 2 siblings to Kansas.  After living with several relatives for a time, at 6 years old, she was adopted by Otis and Pearl Garrett. Sharon Kansas became her home.  It was there that she learned how to work hard.  At age 16, she left Sharon to make her own way and return to High School.

After living in Kirwin a couple of years, a friend of hers introduced her to Wallace Hanchett.  He became the love of her life and they married on April 25, 1943.  They moved to Colby to start their life together.  Wallace worked for Kansas Natural Gas Company and Ruth made their house a home and canned enough food to get by.  They saved their money and 3 years later bought 3 cows and rented a farm outside of Phillipsburg.  Wallace wanted to buy a nearby farm but wasn't sure it would work financially.  Ruth called the seller and told them they would take it and told Wallace they would make it work.

Farming was their life.  Together, as a team, they worked very hard. Ruth raised baby chicks, sold eggs, and tended to a huge garden that fed them and their four children. During harvest she fed the crew, made sure the gas and diesel barrels were full, helped auger the grain into the grain bin, milked the cow, and even drove the truck sometimes. Mom made her farmyard look like a picture out of Home & Garden. Ruth was Wallace's right hand man!

There wasn't a Sunday that Ruth and the family missed church.  Ruth taught Sunday school and, at one time, was the church treasurer.  She put God first in everything she did.  Singing hymns at church, at home, in the garden and in the car was her favorite thing to do. In her last days, the chaplain at the hospital asked her what her favorite hymn was, and she broke out singing "WONDERFUL WONDERFUL JESUS IS TO ME".  Ruth's faith never faltered. She maintained the utmost faith in God, even after losing her son Rex at age 17.  She not only believed but she lived it every day.

Ruth and Wallace never traveled much.  When asked if she ever took a vacation, she said "WE WORK".  But, she and Wallace did make many trips to visit their children and grandchildren, often to help with projects.  She spent much of her time calling and writing letters to her loved ones, making sure to stay in touch even with distant relatives.

Ruth and Wallace retired in Phillipsburg.  They had many happy years together until she lost Wallace in 2008.  She made the best of it by keeping busy and staying in touch with family and friends.  Ruth moved to assisted living in 2017.  Many of the people there were friends already so she felt right at home. She helped serve food, pull weeds in the yard, and watered the flowers.  She helped people walk to the dinner table and over to church services.  She was kind to everyone and had many friends, some of whom depended upon her to be their eyes and ears.  When she needed help, everyone  at the assisted living treated Ruth extra special.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, husband Wallace and son Rex.  Ruth is survived by her sons  Leland Hanchett and wife Melody,  Warren Hanchett and wife Linda ;  Her daughter Cheryl Hays and husband David Himes; 7 Grandchildren Michelle (Sean) Loehman, Jerrod Hanchett, Stephanie (Dan)Wilson, Rodney (Crystal)Hanchett, Eric (Samantha) Hays, Craig (Kortnie) Hays and Kirk (Sam Watson) Hays ; 8 Great Grandchildren, Micheala (Conner) Leffingwell, Madison (Ethan) Bailey, Danika Hanchett, Corie Hanchett, Victoria (Jerry)Ma, Aubreanna Wilson, Halle Hanchett, Allycianna Hanchett and Hollis Hays. 1 Great Great Grandchild, Fallon Leffingwell.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, Jan. 28 at 10:30 a.m. in the Assembly of God Church, with Pastors Darrell Schmid & Art Walker officiating.  The service will be streamed live on the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel Facebook page.  Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 9:00 to 9:00 Thursday & Friday at the funeral home with the family receiving friends from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Services, the Assembly of God Church or to Prairie Wind Villa.