Ruth Marie Portell

Ruth Marie Portell, 92, died Tuesday May 15, 2018 in her home at Mission, Kansas.  She was born October 8, 1925 in Columbia, Missouri, daughter of Earl Nicholas Kurtz and Grace (Brady) Kurtz.  She was a graduate of Columbia's Hickman High School and attended the University of Missouri one year.  Ruth married Franklin Vincent Portell June 30, 1945 in Columbia.  He preceded her in death on December 7, 1981 at the age of 58.  They enjoyed 36 years of marriage.  Ruth worked as a switchboard operator for Mid-Continent Paint Co. in Kansas City, Missouri and later for Macy's and Dillard's in Mission.  In the interim, she was a stay at home mother for three sons.  She was a pioneer member of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Mission.  Ruth is also preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Eugene Kurtz, Kay Ogden Leonard, Grace Garrison, Phyllis Wood and Kent Kurtz.  She is survived by three sons, Kent Vincent Portell (Jo Ann), Raymore, Missouri; Mark Andrew Portell, Wamego, Kansas; and Jon Eugene Portell, Prairie Village, Kansas; four grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Visitation will be 10-11:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 22 at the Amos Family Funeral Home, 10901 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, Kansas with funeral services following at 11:00 a.m.  Ruth will be laid to rest in Resurrection Cemetery in Lenexa, Kansas.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Alzheimer's Association.