BUCKLIN - Ruth Leinberger Hiss passed away, Saturday, March 7, 2020 at Westchester Village in Lenexa, Kansas.  She was born in Omaha, Nebraska on October 23, 1936.  Ruth was the youngest of four children born to Florence and Harry Leinberger. She spent most of her childhood in Kirkwood, Missouri and attended Kirkwood High School before graduating from the University of Missouri in Columbia.  There, she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, sweetheart of Sigma Chi, and a study-abroad student to the University of Oslo in Norway. As an education major, Ruth pursued her passion for teaching in Denver, Colorado where she met Alan Ray Hiss. They were married on August 20, 1960. Shortly after, they settled on the Hiss family farm near Kingsdown, Kansas. While in southwestern Kansas, Ruth continued to teach in the Bucklin and Greensburg school districts for more than 25 years. She was honored as a Learning Disabilities Teacher of the Year for the Sate of Kansas and Master Teacher of USD 422 .

Following the death of her beloved husband of 41 years, Ruth took her generous and serving spirit and moved to Lawrence, Kansas. While there, she was an active member of the Lawrence First Presbyterian Church, serving as a deacon and Eve Circle member. In addition, Ruth was a member of the University Women's Club and EA Chapter of the philanthropic organization, PEO. Also, in Lawrence, Ruth graciously spent more than six years as House Director for KU's Delta Chi Fraternity and a volunteer at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

One of Ruth's most treasured hobbies was watching KU sports. In fact, she was a KU football and basketball season ticket holder.  Ruth truly enjoyed the camaraderie and KU spirit of pre-game festivities. Some might say Ruth's favorite place was sitting beneath a tailgate tent, surrounded by family and friends on the hill. Ruth took full advantage of what KU had to offer, enrolling in classes at Osher and the Lawrence Rec Center.  With Lawrence only minutes away from where her children and grandchildren lived, Ruth was fortunate enough to spend hours attending their many work, school, and sporting activities. A mother to four and grandmother to 11, Ruth cherished being a part of her family's lives. She shared her passion for creative arts, cooking, learning, and writing memoirs with her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Alan Ray Hiss; her parents, Harry and Florence Carlson Leinberger; twin sisters, Alida Leinberger Cordes and Adele Leinberger Bender; brother, Robert Leinberger; and brothers-in-law, Dean Hiss and Will Hiss. Ruth is survived by her daughter Julie Hefner and husband Rod of DeSoto, Kansas; three sons, Drew Hiss and wife Sarah of Basehor, Kansas, Ben Hiss and wife Jennifer of Prairie Village, Kansas, and Jon Hiss and wife Shannon of Lenexa, Kansas; 11 grandchildren, Jesse (wife Ty), Caleb (wife Paige), Jared, and Rachel Hiss; Shane and Alex Hefner; Grant, Jake, and Emma Hiss, Charlotte and Adam Hiss, and many adored nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at the Kingsdown Presbyterian Church in Kingsdown, Kansas on Saturday, March 14, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. with Scott Tilley officiating.  Burial will follow at the Bucklin Cemetery.

The family suggests memorials to Kingsdown Presbyterian Church or Young Life/Kaw Valley both in care of Minnis Mortuary, P.O. Box 516, Bucklin, Kansas, 67834.  Condolences may be sent to www.minnismortuary.net

A celebration of life will be held in Lenexa, Kansas on April 4, 2020 at the Westside Family Church from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.