Ruth Jane Wells (née Alexander), 85, passed away Sunday, Feb. 12, 2017, at University of Kansas Medical Center. She will be buried at Mount Moriah Cemetery South in Kansas City, Missouri.
Born on Feb. 5, 1932, in Landau, Germany, she immigrated to Kansas City with her parents and grandmother when she was 6 years old in 1938, weeks before Kristallnacht, to flee Nazi oppression. Many of her relatives perished in Auschwitz. She learned English and adapted to life in the United States, growing to cherish proper spelling and grammar.
Ruth was an avid bridge player and loved playing with her friends at Brookdale Leawood. She worked for many years at the University of Missouri-Kansas City in several capacities before retiring. Ruth loved discussing politics, was a lifelong Democrat and proudly voted for President Obama twice. She was preceded in death by her husband George Davis Wells.
She was always stylish, made-up and manicured until her last day. She loved to make new acquaintances and keep in touch with old friends.
She is survived by her children: daughter Lynne Jaben Bratcher, son-in-law Mike Bratcher, daughter Joyce Poller, son-in-law Peter Poller; son Robert Jaben; step-daughter: Susan Wells Hay; and grandchildren: Aaron Bratcher, Lisa Bratcher, Arrianna Jaben, Alexander Poller and Caitlin Poller.
The family requests donations to the American Civil Liberties Union in lieu of flowers.