BURLINGTON — Ruth Ann (Blazek) Steffens, 82, of Burlington, Kan., passed away Oct. 13, 2026 peacefully with her loved ones at her side. Ruth was born Aug. 9th, 1944 in Casper, Wyo. to Ernest and Evelyn (Wood) Blazek.
Ruth attended Great Bend High School, after graduating Ruth enlisted in the United States Army in 1963 and served three years.
On July 9, 1977 she and Wayne Steffens were married at Great Bend, Kan. They shared a loving marriage of 48 years. Together, they built a life filled with love, cherished memories and devotion to their family.
Ruth worked for a title and abstract office in Barton County Kansas before retiring at an early age. During her retirement Ruth and Wayne enjoyed traveling the United States making it their goal to camp in every state. After traveling they called an RV Resort in Rockport, Texas home where Ruth loved the ocean and walking the shoreline looking for shells, until 2017.
Ruth loved to garden, cook, care for others, and volunteered at God’s Storehouse. She found joy in nurturing her plants, preparing meals for the ones she loved, and being a compassionate, devoted caretaker. Her caring heart and loving nature touched the lives of those around her. One of her greatest joys was spending time with her grandchildren.
Ruth was proceeded in death by her husband Wayne; her parents; and brother Paul Blazek. Ruth leaves her son, Brian Steffens (Kerri Hugunin); grandchildren, Erika Steffens (Augustus Farthing), Ty Steffens; great-granddaughter, Layton Farthing, all of Burlington; sisters, Patricia (Ron) Griffith, Smith Center, Kan., Sheryl Degenhardt (Galen Fischer) Claflin, Kan.; many nephews and nieces.
A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, at Graceland Cemetery Burlington. Family and friends are invited to attend and join in honoring and remembering Ruth. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to God’s Storehouse or Hand in Hand Hospice, and may be sent in care of Jones Funeral Home, PO Box 277, Burlington, KS 66839.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Jones Funeral Home
P.O. Box 277
Burlington, KS 66839
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Oct. 27, 2026
