Mariruth Thomas

Mariruth Thomas, happy-go-lucky grandma, die-hard Oklahoma State fan and creator of the world’s best sugar cookies, died Sept. 28, 2016, at Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan, Kan. She was 74. Born Mariruth Harrison on Jan. 6, 1942, in Oklahoma City, she was the daughter of Ronald and Mary Hoshall Harrison. She was raised on the family farm northwest of Kingfisher, Okla., and was a 1960 graduate of Kingfisher High School. Mariruth always felt blessed to have grown up when and where she did, with a loving Christian family and friends. In 1963, she married Don Nye; they later divorced. She married Henry Thomas on New Year’s Day 1996, and they lived in Clay County, Kansas, where she enjoyed living in a peaceful, rural area surrounded by family, friends and neighbors. The couple moved to Clay Center in 2013. Mariruth worked in the Payless ShoeSource Corporate Headquarters in Topeka for more than 13 years, then worked several years at the Creative Hairdressers Corporate Headquarters in Falls Church, Va. She later was the voice of Morganville Elementary for 9 ½ years, where as school secretary she greeted callers on the phone in a cheerful, singsong voice. She was a member of the Hayes United Methodist Church, transferring membership to the Clay Center United Methodist Church when Hayes closed. Family meant everything to her, and she loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, cousins and friends. Mariruth also enjoyed traveling, reading, photography and baking for her family. Mariruth was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Marjorie Harrison. Survivors include her husband, Henry W. Thomas, Clay Center; son Troy Nye and wife Machelle of Sand Point, Idaho; daughter Natalie Nye of San Antonio, Texas; stepson Tracy Thomas and wife Judy of Leawood, Kan.; stepdaughter Teresa Quandt and husband Greg of Peachtree City, Ga.; and stepdaughter, Terri Thomas of Olathe; grandchildren, Donte’, Dylan and Ciera Jabines; Matthew, Lindsay and Joshua Quandt; and Justin and Nathan Thomas; and great-granddaughter Zaylah Longoria of San Antonio, Texas. Visitation from 3-8pm Friday with family greeting friends 5-7pm at Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at Clay Center United Methodist Church. Memorial to Clay Center Public Library or Clay County Animal Rescue and Education Center c/o the funeral home.