Ruth Jelen Mehrhof

Ruth Jelen Mehrhof, longtime resident of Topeka Kansas, passed away peacefully at her son Craig (Pam) home at Lake Wabaunsee Thursday, July 2, 2026, at the age of 93. Ruth was born in Niagara Falls, New York on March 11, 1933, the daughter of Adolf and Mamie (Melichar) Jelen.

As a child growing up in Niagara Falls, she attended local schools, graduating from LaSalle Jr. / Sr. High School. Ruth graduated from the University of Rochester School of Nursing class of 1954.

She married Edward G. Mehrhof on September 24, 1955, in St. Paul Minnesota. Together they had three children; Craig, Ann and Brad. They later divorced.

Ruth worked at Ireland Army Hospital in Fort Knox, Kentucky and then began a long, successful nursing career including initiating one of the first home health care services in Topeka, UpJohn. Later she was an administrator for Topeka Healthcare Nursing Facility in Topeka, Kansas until her retirement in 1998. She volunteered at the Mulvane Art Museum, enjoyed assisting with voter registration and voting, loved to read, knit, travel, and enjoyed going to the casino, but her greatest love was spending time with her family. She loved hosting holiday dinners.

Ruth is survived by her two sons Craig (Pam) Mehrhof Lake Wabaunsee and Brad Mehrhof Topeka. She was predeceased by her daughter Ann Elizaeth Mehrhof in 2025 and her two brothers Leonard and Elmer Jelen.

Private family services will take place at a later date.

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