Marian Ruda

Marian Martha (Vrbas) Ruda the fifth child of thirteen was born to Frank and Mary Bartosovsky Vrbas on August 15, 1913 in her Grandmother’s home in the Studer Settlement, Kansas and Marian’s Heart of Gold stopped beating on Saturday October 12, 2013 at the Rawlins County Hospital, Atwood, Kansas at the age of 100 years, 1 month and 27 days.

Marian was baptized as an infant on August 17,1913 at St. John’s Nepomucene Catholic Church, north of Atwood.

Marian and her siblings walked one mile to Forrest Hill School. After the completion of 8th grade, Marian worked at her Grandmother Vrbas’ home. Then spent her other teen years helping to raise her younger siblings. After the evening chores were done, the Vrbas home was filled with laughter, dancing and singing as her Father and brother, Frank would play the accordion and her Mother on the piano.

Watching her older sisters go to dances, it was finally Marian’s time to have time on the dance floor. While at the Tin Hall she met Anton J. Ruda, the love of her life.
Anton and Marian were married on August 25, 1936 at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church. The young married couple began their life South East of Atwood to start a family farm. They were blessed with 7 children in a 21 year span. Janice Antoinette, Anthony Joseph, Kenneth Frank, David Charles, Betsy Ann, Victoria Lynne, and Carla Marie.

Anton was busy farming while Marian was raising her family plus spending time on the farm always helping Anton whenever she could.

After Anton and Marian’s retirement from farming, they and Carla moved into Atwood and began their time visiting their children and enjoyed playing Bingo in the surrounding towns.

Anton died on January 16, 1980 at the age of 70. Marian continued her love of Bingo with many special Bingo Buddies. Her passion continued well into her 90’s.

Marian was a member of Sacred Heart Church and a member of the Christian Mother Altar Society. Marian’s faith grew with each year. Her love of Jesus brought her great comfort as she prayed the rosary for family and friends during her life. Marian was a Melanoma survivor of 36 years and a breast cancer survivor.
Marian had many other hobbies. Reading, watching game shows, seek a-word puzzles, checking out different Casinos and writing poetry. Her poetry was always about her family. She was a very loving mother to her children and truly enjoyed spending time with all her grandchildren, great grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were her parents, husband, Anton J. Ruda (January 16, 1980); her son, Tony (May 4, 2008); brothers and spouses, Frank and Beata, William, Bernard and Ruth, Charlie and Raymond Vrbas; sisters and spouses, Helen and Jim Horinek, Alice and Rudolph Horinek, Antionette and Lew Horinek, Gertrude and Joe Havel, Adella and Everett Harry, Martha and Bud Souchek, and Frances and John Ham.

Those remaining to celebrate her life include her children and their spouses: Janice and Ferrell Shuck, Lee’s Summit, Mo.; Ken and Shirley Ruda, Atwood, Ks.; Dave and Pam Ruda, Lancaster, Ky., Betsy Whitaker, Atwood, Ks.; Vicki and Regan Koch, Rose Hill, Ks.; Carla and Bill Focke, Albuquerque, N.M.; Grandchildren, spouses and Great Grandchildren and Great Great Grandchild: Beverly Shuck, Kansas City, Mo.; Greg and Nicki Shuck, Audrey and Kayden, Osage, Mo.; Kurt, Cindy and Blake Heier, Fenton, Michigan; Julie, Erica and Abby Doane, Lee's Summit, Mo.; Natalie, John, Megan and Trevor Seybold, Heletos, Tx.; Ken Ruda II, Kansas City, Ks.; James, Austin, and Brock Ruda, Wichita, Ks.; Kathy, Deone and Gus Horinek, Katy, Maddie, Ashey Livas, Atwood, Ks., Cristy, Matt, Tyler, Kylie, and Ella Park, Oakley, Ks.; Chad and Babette Ruda, Phoenix, Az.; Lori and Alissa Curry, Burlington, Co.; Casey Curry, North Platte, NE.; Travis, Vanessa, Caden and Zdravko Ruda, Lancaster, Ky.; Emily and Lee Love, Asheville, NC.; Audra, Tom, Carly and Katie Winder, Marshfield, WI.; Robert Whitaker, Atwood, Ks.; Jamie, Joe, Joey and Jordan Anderson, Wichita, Ks.; Nissa, Eric, Levi and Weston Alfaro, Wichita, Ks.; Sister-in-Laws: Edith Vrbas, Atwood ,Ks.; Mary Vrbas, Palisade, NE.; and Carolyn Vrbas ,Ottawa, Ks.; Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and a host of friends.