Ruthanna A. Speer, 86, of Atchison, Kansas, passed away on Saturday, October 4, 2014 at the Atchison Medical Lodge in Atchison, Kansas. She was born on July 19, 1928 in rural Muscotah, Kansas the daughter of Otho and Mary Sleepy Small. After graduating from A.C.C.H.S in Effingham Ruthanna taught school for a few years in several rural country schools. Ruthanna then became a homemaker and taking care of her children. Then later she went to work as a cook at the Horton Steakhouse, Horton Country Club, Maple Heights Nursing Center, Effingham Cafe and the Lansing Prison where she retired in 1989. She was a member of the Horton United Methodist Church, active with the United Methodist women's group, lifetime member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Brush Creek Extension Unit, former 4-H Leader, enjoyed cooking, gardening, reading and sewing. On July 21, 1946 she married Willis L. Speer at Muscotah, Kansas. He preceded her in death on December 7, 1981. Survivors include two daughters, Linda Reece (George Ortman) of St. Joseph, Missouri and Laura (Arthur) Young of Cummings, Kansas; five sons, Kenneth (Shirley) Speer of Horton, Kansas, Robert (Linda) Speer of Wilson, Kansas, Gerald (Brenda) Speer of Almena, Kansas, Joe Speer of Muscotah, Kansas and Keith (Lori) Speer of Wilson, Kansas; three sisters, Janet Christie of Horton, Kansas, Marilyn Oaks of Horton, Kansas and Lucille Brown of Muscotah, Kansas; twenty four grandchildren; twenty four great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild. She was also preceded in death by her parents, son, Merlin Speer, sister, Shirley Swendson and son-in-law, Willis Reece. Funeral services will be at 2:00 P.M. on Thursday, October 9, 2014 at the Horton United Methodist Church where the family will greet friends from 1:00 P.M. until service time. Burial will be at the Muscotah Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to the Horton United Methodist Church or the Gran Villas of Atchison both may be sent in care of the Dishon-Maple-Chaney Mortuary in Horton, Kansas. A special message may be sent to the family www.dishon-maple-chaney.com