Ruth Jaleen Easter, 95, of Gladstone, MO peacefully left to be with the Lord on Friday, March 14, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. Born in Kansas City, MO on July 18, 1929, the fourth child of eight to Harry and Martha Richards. She graduated from Northeast High School, later marrying and started her family which would ultimately include 11 children, 22 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren and 10 great-great grandchildren. 

Primarily raising her family in Ruskin Heights, her home was always open to friends of the children and kids in the neighborhood for meals, a game of football or summertime fun in the family pool. She knew no stranger and welcomed anyone into her home or at her table. Later moving the family to Polo, MO, where she was a member of the Prairie Ridge Church. She spent 40 years of her life in Gladstone, MO close to family and friends. She was a dedicated employee for 25 years of Dixon Tom-A-Toe which would become Del Monte Foods. Ruth was the person you could call at 5am or 1130pm and know she’d answer the phone to talk or be open to join you for a cup of coffee, especially when she still drove. In her driving days, she loved to drive anywhere and everywhere on an adventure, from south of the river to Denver, CO. You never knew where her adventures were going to take her. She enjoyed spending time with her siblings on road trips or playing card games. Her kids and grandchildren were always an important part of her life.

She is predeceased in death by six of her siblings: Bob Richards, Marge France, Aubrey Richards, Joyce Malone, Gwen Hedrick & Sharon Tanner; five of her children: Marnie Catanzaro, Bill Gardner, Dennis Gardner, Steve Easter and Becky Easter; daughter-in-law Glenda Easter, son-in-law John Bishop and two great grandchildren.

She is survived by her brother Glen Richards (Helen), children; Robert Easter, Renee' Bishop, Diana Easter, Jeanette Crane, Jim Easter, Nancy Nolan (Richard); daughter-in-law, Carol Gardner; son-in-law, Frank Catanzaro; grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be from 1pm to 2pm on Thursday, March 20, 2025, with a memorial service immediately following at Harmony Vineyard Church 600 NE 46th St, Kansas City, MO 64116. 

In lieu of flowers please donate to Sisters Servants of Mary (www.sisterservantsofmary.org)

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