Ruth Ann Slyter

Ruth A. Slyter, 86, of Topeka, passed away on Friday, October 2, 2026. She was born on August 21, 1940 in Kansas City, Kansas to Boyce and Lola Brown Hattaway.

She was a graduate of The Kansas State Teachers College (now Emporia State University) with a Bachelor’s degree in Education with a focus on Vocational Home Economics. She taught Home Economics at Louisburg High School before becoming a full-time mother. Later in life she returned to education as a substitute teacher and classroom paraprofessional in the Auburn-Washburn School District, retiring after her final 11 years as an administrative assistant at Washburn Rural High School.

She was active with local PEO and EHU chapters and enjoyed spending time with her Crooked Post Ladies. She always supported and was involved in everything her kids and grandkids did, including sports, Girl Scouts, and 4-H. She loved to sew and quilt and did it as long as she was able. She was a member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church and active with LWML.

Ruth was preceded in death by her brothers Boyce (Bud) and Raymond and survived by her sister Lolita Moyer of Fargo, North Dakota.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband Damon Slyter. They were married on December 26, 1964 in Kansas City, Kansas and lived in Paola, Kansas until moving to Topeka in 1972. She is survived by her children, Scott (Cheryl) of Newnan, Georgia; Keith (Jen) of Kansas City, Missouri; and Sally (Matthew) Morris of Southlake, Texas; and six grandchildren: Amber of Smyrna, Georgia; Hayley of Astoria, New York; Katherine (Eric) Lu of Guangzhou, China; and Audrey, Reagan, and Gavin of Southlake, Texas. Who her favorite child or grandchild was will remain a hotly debated topic as she would never claim to have a favorite, but one of them knows for sure.

Funeral services will be held at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church on Saturday, October 24th, with visitation from 1:00 – 2:00pm and funeral service at 2:00pm. Burial will follow at West Lawn Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to the American Cancer Society - Road to Recovery Program or to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 3525 SW Wanamaker Road, Topeka, Kansas, 66614.