Vivian "Ruth" (Loomis) Barker "Grams"

Vivian “Ruth” Barker “Grams”, 88, of Sterling, Kansas, passed away January 21, 2023, at the Sterling Village, Sterling. She was born October 11, 1934, in Campo, Colorado, the daughter of Henry and Phoebe Koblitz Loomis. Ruth was a near lifelong Sterling resident. She graduated from Vilas High School, Vilas, Colorado. Ruth worked at the Dillons Bakery in Hutchinson; Jack & Jill and Dillons both of Sterling, as an assistant to the butcher; a home health aide in Rice County; bus driver for Rice County Council on Aging, Lyons; and a truck driver and office manager for Barker Trucking, Sterling. She was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, Sterling, and the Vintage Motor Car Club of America. Ruth enjoyed volunteering for hamburger night at the Sterling American Legion Post #128. She belonged to the Sterling Recreation Softball League, Volleyball League, and a traveling bowling league. Ruth loved gardening, playing cards, and was an avid reader. On October 1, 1950, Ruth was united in marriage with Lee “Roy” Barker in Raton, New Mexico. He preceded her in death on January 25, 1995. She is also preceded in death by her parents; two sons, Garry Barker and Gregg Barker; brother, Duane Loomis; and sister, Ester Jones. Ruth is survived by her son, Terry Barker of Sterling, KS; brother, Eugene Loomis and wife Katy of AL; five grandchildren, Heather Beard and husband Chris of Edmond, OK, Audra Klink and husband Jeremy of Norman, OK, Megan Pearson of Norman, OK, Nick Inman and wife Stephanie of Madison, WI, and Mia Barker and Joe Showalter of Lyons, KS; seven great-grandchildren, Alexia Pearson, Katelyn Pearson, Corwyn Beard, Maryn Beard, Allasyn Beard, Ella Klink and Layla Inman; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family. Funeral service will be at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, January 28, 2023, at Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling, with Pastor Michael Gray officiating. Burial will follow at Raymond Hilltop Cemetery, Raymond, Kansas. Visitation will be from 9:30 until service time with family present. The family invites friends to join them following the burial for lunch at Studio 96, Sterling. Memorials may be given to the Sterling Public Library in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling.

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