Ruth Ann Herrman Siress was born September 19, 1943 in La Crosse, Ks. to parents Leonard and Ann (Geier) Herrman. She was the second of five daughters. She passed away peacefully at Kansas City Hospice House following a brief illness on Sunday, February 12, 2023. She was surrounded by family.
Ruth entered the convent at the age of 14 in Great Bend, Ks., with the Dominican Sisters of Peace. During her time there she taught elementary school in Pueblo, Co. After making the decision to leave the order, she met Jim Siress at a seminar he was teaching. They were married in 1974 and settled in Gladstone, Mo. They later relocated to Olathe, Ks., finally retiring in Overland Park, Ks.
Ruth holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Kansas Newman College in Wichita, Ks. and a Master of Arts in Communication from the University of Kansas.
She was a professional speaker, locally and internationally, a consultant, teacher and mentor and a published author. She was a strong advocate for women in the workforce and wrote the book Working Woman’s Communications Survival Guide. She was very passionate about climate change and participated in the Alliance for Climate Protection. She was also a member of Saint Andrew Church in Olathe and a member of the Pastoral Partners care team.
Ruth enjoyed gardening, was a gourmet cook, and was a gifted hostess who excelled at entertaining friends. She loved spending time with her beloved grandchildren who all held a special relationship with their Nana. She was a voracious reader and looked forward to her monthly book club. She was very social and often got together with friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her sister Elaine Herrman, and her grandson Brady Duncan. She is survived by her husband of 47 years, James “Jim” Siress, Jim’s five daughters, Karen (Brent) Bertram, Kathy Siress, Jeannette Siress Ford, Julia (Bill) Duncan, Wendy (Wayne) Kerkaert: Grandchildren, Jonathan, Joshua, Cooper, Grant, Brian, Molly, Luke, Hannah, Grace, Matthew, and Summer; Great-Grandchildren, Kate, Caro, River, Melody, Lily and Thomas who will be born in June; Sisters, Catherine (Don) Brening, Liz Taylor, Becky (Kenny) Schmidt; many nieces and nephews and other family and friends who will miss her dearly.
The family would like to extend their deep gratitude to all those who cared for her at St. Luke’s South Hospital and Kansas City Hospice House. Their kindness, compassion and support will never be forgotten.
A celebration of Ruth’s Life will be held Saturday, February 25, 2023, 3:00 pm at Saint Andrew Christian Church, 13890 W. 127th St., Olathe KS 66062. Friends and family are welcome to gather and share memories following the service in the church Friends Hall. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials to Kansas City Hospice (www.kchospice.org/donation ) or Saint Andrew Church www.sacchome.org/give or by check with Ruth Siress in the memo.
For those unable to be here with us for the Celebration of Life, the service will be live streamed.
Here is the service link for Saturday’s service for Ruth.
https://youtube.com/live/MKyLAgsmSXU?feature=share
