Ruth D. Marshall Drown, 102, of Holton, KS passed away Wednesday, October 4, 2017 at Glenn Moore Meadows-Pines South in Holton. She was born March 22, 1915 in Holton, KS the daughter of Nile and Halcie (Glenn) Ireland.

Ruth attended Pleasant View Country School northeast of Holton and graduated from Holton High School in 1934. She was a lifelong member of the Holton community. Ruth worked as a secretary for Harry Crosswhite Attorney’s office for a year and then stayed home with her children. She was a member of Lakeview Faith Chapel.

She married Harold “Shorty” Marshall on December 1, 1934 in Holton; he preceded her in death on July 2, 1971. She married Floyd L. Drown on July 25, 1975 in Holton; he preceded her in death on May 10, 1996. She was also preceded in death by a brother, Robert Ireland; 3 sons-in-law, Forrest “Frosty” Farmer, Robert Baum and Dr. Carlos Chavez; and a granddaughter, Kelly Hale.

Ruth was a devoted mother, who leaves behind her most precious gifts, her 7 children and their families. It is with broken hearts we return her to be with God, but this is not goodbye, it is until we see her smiling face again in heaven.   Survivors include a son, Rob Marshall of Needmore, TN; 6 daughters, Virginia Farmer of Holton, KS, Carol Bickford (Leo) of Holton, KS, Norma Marshall of Holton, KS, Barbara Pollock (Tom) of Holton ,KS, Betsy Gilliland (Frank) of Holton, KS and Gayle Powelson (David) of Topeka, KS; 24 grandchildren and 102 great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Ruth’s Life will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, October 9, 2017 at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Burial will follow in the Holton Cemetery. She will lie in state at the funeral home where family will greet friends one hour prior to the service. Memorials may be given to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or the Palliative Care Room at Holton Community Hospital c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com.