Ruth Krause was born July 7, 1918, at Bellefonte, Kansas, the oldest
   daughter of the Rev. Paul and Anna Krause.
     Ruth's first two years of school were in the Christian Day School at
   Belefonte, Kansas, where the only language spoken was German. The move
   to Nashville, Kansas, in 1926, where only English was taught, made school
   very difficult for her. She did not attend high school.
     She married Silas M. Beckner April 20, 1940, at Wichita, Kansas.
     They adopted one son, Donald Paul Beckner, born May 3, 1951, at Wichita,
   Kansas.
     Silas died February 27, 1973 at Wichita, Kansas.
     Ruth filled her life with the needs of others by taking care of children,
   cleaning houses and working in a nursing home.
     She died following a massive stroke January 21, 1981. She and her husband
   Silas are buried at Wichita Park Cemetery.
                  
     Source:St. John's Lutheran Church Centennial 1893-1994, Nashville, Kansas,  pg. 23 
     Submitted by: Evelyn Dye