Ruth Charlotte Warfel

Ruth Charlotte Warfel, 93, Topeka, died Saturday, March 18, 2017, at her home. She was born February 10, 1924, in Lincoln, Nebraska, the daughter of Adrian Lewis and Lottie Marie (Hecht) Hall.

Ruth graduated from Hiawatha High School and then worked for Goodyear in Lincoln where she helped line airplanes with rubber so that when a plane was shot the rubber would close the hole. She moved several times. From Lincoln she went to Salt Lake City where her Mother lived. Then they moved to Topeka in order for her husband to go into the service. When in Topeka she worked for Sears and Roebuck in downtown Topeka, and loved working there. She worked in the Men’s Department,
Children’s Department, Catalog Department, and Ladies Wear. In 1949, Ruth and Oscar bought their home at 2345 Wayne and she stayed home and raised her family. She graduated from cosmetology school and worked at Manford’s Beauty Salon for eleven years before opening Ruth’s Beauty Salon at Sixth and Washburn. Due to health problems she sold her shop and started traveling with the Good Sams Camping Group. After her husband passed away she went to work at Washburn University in the cafeteria as a cashier and worked there for 18 years.

She was a member of Lowman United Methodist Church; Helena Chapter # 210, Order of the Eastern Star (60 year member); and Trinity Shrine # 7, Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem.

Ruth was married to Oscar Warfel on May 18, 1940, at Troy, Kansas. He preceded her in death on April 13, 1986.

Surviving are two daughters: Kathy McCarty of Burlingame, and Sharon French (Laird) of Rossville; siblings: Lucille Marie Bentley of Rulo, NE, Margaret Rose Darby of Salt Lake City, UT, Vonia Grace Brooks of St. George, UT, and Glen Arthur Hall of Nevada; five grandchildren: Harry Hammer III of Rossville, Teresa Lowe of Wichita, Nancy Stine (Marty) of Seneca, PA, Shawn French of Topeka, and Charlotte Brunin (Derek) Rossville; and several great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM, Monday, March 20, 2017, at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence Avenue, Topeka followed by Eastern Star Services conducted by Helena Chapter # 210, OES. Interment will be in Rossville Cemetery.

Ruth will lie in state after 4:00 PM, Sunday, at the funeral chapel where the family will receive friends from 5:00 to 6:30 PM.

Memorial contributions may be made to Helena Chapter # 210, OES, 909 NW Lyman Road, Topeka, KS 66608 or Alzheimer’s Association, 3625 SW 29th Street, Suite 102, Topeka, KS 66614.