The Kansas Barbed Wire Museum lost another of its family, Ruby Shank. Ruby passed away on January 23, 2016. Ruby joined us in about 1993, shortly after the new museum was built. At that time, we knew her as Ruby Krug. Ruby served the museum for many years as Museum Docent, Manager, and Treasurer. When she married Lee Shank in 1997, the two of them worked together at the museum keeping the visitors happy and the museum running smoothly. They made a great team and the collectors knew and loved Lee and Ruby. In September 2010, the museum theatre was re-dedicated as the Lee and Ruby Shank Theatre in their honor. Although Ruby may no longer be with us, her memory will always be a part of the Kansas Barbed Wire Museum.
Bradley Penka, president,
Kansas Barbed Wire Collectors Association, Inc.
Ruby Adina (Steitz) Krug Shank, 91, from LaCrosse, Kansas went to be with the Lord on January 23, 2016, at Arbor Hills Memory Care, Plano, Texas. She was born June 10, 1924 on a farm north of Otis, the daughter of Jake and Elizabeth (Wilhelm) Steitz. She was a 1943 graduate of Bison High School. On September 1, 1946, she married Marvin E. Krug at Otis. He died June 21, 1992. To this union a daughter and son were born. On January 2, 1997, she married Lee Shank at La Crosse. He died November 15, 2011.
A lifetime resident of La Crosse, she and Marvin operated a liquor store for 32 years and farmed. She was a clerk in two grocery stores, on the First Lutheran Church Council, past President of the American Legion and was best known as a seamstress for many years. She was always willing to help wherever she was needed such as the Rush County Election board, Meals on Wheels and the Kansas Barb Wire Museum. She was a member of the First Lutheran Church, LaCrosse, Kansas.
She is survived by her daughter, Sharon and husband Jeff Hutchison of Frisco, Texas, son Rod and wife Viola Krug of Judsonia, Arkansas. Four grandchildren Brooke and her husband Mark Moncrief of Allen, Texas, Kyle Hutchison of San Jose, California, Angela Ruddel of Judsonia, Arkansas and Rush Krug and wife Elecia of Searcy, Arkansas, six great grand children. Three step sons Dennis Shank and his wife Gaylene, of Goodland, Kansas, Duane Shank of Stillwater, Oklahoma, Dale Shank and his wife Lorrie of Leavenworth, Kansas; one step-daughter Deanne Ficken and her husband John of Bison, Kansas, 15 step-grandchildren and 24 great step-grandchildren. One brother, Maynard Steitz of La Crosse, Kansas. One sister, Wilma Steadman and husband Bill of Great Bend, Kansas. Two sister in laws, Mary Steitz of LaCrosse, Kansas and Beverly Steitz of Elkhardt, Kansas and many more special nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant sister Leona, 4 brothers Victor, Eberhardt, Reinhold and Leland Steitz and two sisters Verneta Healzer and Leona Keil. Visitation will be Friday, January 29th from 4 to 8 p.m. at Janousek Funeral Home, La Crosse, with the family receiving friends from 6 to 7 p.m.
Church visitation will be Saturday, January 30th from 9:30 to 10:20 a.m. at the First Lutheran Church, La Crosse.
Funeral Service will be Saturday, January 30th at 10:30 a.m. at the First Lutheran Church, La Crosse, with Pastor Phyllis Burdge officiating. Interment will be at La Crosse City Cemetery.
Please share your memories of Ruby with her family at the funeral service Saturday. Memorials are suggested to the First Lutheran Church, La Crosse, Kansas.
Arrangements are by Janousek Funeral Home, 719 Pine Street, P O Box 550, La Crosse, Kansas 67548, 785/222-2517.