Ruth was born May 7, 1942 in Upland, Neb., the daughter of Walter and Clara (Woods) Chittenden. As a young girl, her family moved to Virgil, Kansas where she would graduate from Virgil High School in the class of 1960. On Aug. 22, 1962, Ruth married Kenneth Watts in Eureka. They lived in Hamilton and Tonavay area, and in 1969 moved to Howard. Together, they raised 2 children and were married 42 years, until his passing in 2004.

Over the years, Ruth wore many hats. She owned her own ceramic shop in Howard for several years, drove a school bus for West Elk schools from 1972 to 1983, and then went to work as a tax preparer for several years before retiring. But even then, she continued driving a bus for the Elk County Council on Aging for a while. She was active in the Prairielands Food Pantry, the Jolly Janes Organization, was on the Elk County Fair Board for many years and was a member of the United Methodist Church in Howard. She even travelled around to fairs, judging the ceramic division for 4-H.

She enjoyed crocheting, diamond art, playing bingo and making fresh ice cream for her family. And if she heard there was a new baby on the way, she would get busy making a baby blanket for the new baby.

Ruth is survived by her daughter, Christy Tyler (Don Smith) of Howard; grandchildren: Kenny Tyler and wife Miranda of Derby, Billy Tyler (Paxton Kerley) of Howard and Heather Houchin and husband Ben of Howard; 11 great-grandchildren; brothers: David Chittenden and wife Wanda of Topeka, Leroy Chittenden and wife Sue of Louisville, Tenn.; sister, Mary Boyer of Leavenworth; sister-in-Law, Ardell Watts of Afton, Okla.; and caregivers, Keisha, Christina and Liz.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Kenneth and son Tom.

A memorial service to honor Ruth was held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024 at Countryside Funeral Home in Howard. The family received friends at visitation from 10 a.m. until service time.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Elk County Community Foundation for Howard projects and may be mailed to or left with the funeral home.

Services entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, PO Box 1233, Howard, KS 67349