Ruth Ann Shaw was born on July 1, 1934, in Gregory, SD with her twin brother, Richard, to Orvil Leroy and Rubie Ann (Rose) Shaw. They joined sister Marian, twin brothers John and James and brother Paul, but unfortunately Ruth’s twin passed before the age of one. Ruth graduated from Keya Paha County Public Schools in Springview, NE in June 1948, and she continued her education with correspondence courses from the American School.
Ruth met Herbert Kenyon at church and after a time of courtship, they were married on June 29, 1956, following Herbert’s discharge from the U.S. Air Force.
They made their home in Johnstown, NE, farming at the Kenyon family farm and in December 1967, they moved to Ainsworth, NE. Their family grew beginning with Marcia in 1957, Wesley in 1959, Harlan in 1961, Starla in 1963, Orvil in 1964, and Cathryn in 1971. In June 1972, the family moved to Spencer, NE when Herbert was transferred to a larger route with Old Home Bread. After years of prayer, they made the decision to move the family to Colorado Springs in August 1978 for Herbert to attend Nazarene Bible College.
After moving to Colorado Springs, Ruth pursued becoming a Tupperware consultant and then manager and supplemented the family income for 14 years. Ruth loved her church family and faithfully served in many capacities over the years and will be remembered for her warm smile, soft hugs and especially her great casseroles and desserts. Her faith never wavered in her prayers for her loved ones, and she counted on God to answer.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents Orvil and Rubie Shaw; sister Marian (Raymond) Gowan; brothers Richard, Paul, and James Shaw; son, Orvil Kenyon; son-in-law, Josh Kendricks; and sister-inlaw, Eunice Shaw.
She is survived by her husband, Herbert Kenyon of Colorado Springs, CO; brother, John Shaw of McPherson, KS; sons, Wesley (Deby) Kenyon and Harlan (Ronda) Kenyon of Colorado Springs, CO; daughters, Marcia Kenyon of Stilwell, KS, Starla Kendricks of Olathe, KS and Cathryn (Michael) Griffiths of Colorado Springs, CO; grandchildren Amanda (Mike) Murphy of Pearland, TX, Carl Kenyon of Colorado Springs, CO, Allan Kenyon of Longview, TX, Caitlin (Jeff Klestinske) Kendricks of Independence, MO, Jeremy Griffiths of Colorado Springs, CO, Andrew Griffiths of Colorado Springs, CO, Leslie Watkins of Rayville, LA, Tammy Kendricks of Rayville, LA, Michael Kendricks of Monroe, LA, Phillip (Leslie) Simons of Olathe, KS, Leroy (DeeDee Jones) Giles of Lenexa, KS, Jamie (Jessie) Harris of Olathe, KS, Joshua Kendricks of Olathe, KS; great-grandchildren, Ariana, Donavyn and Braelynn Murphy of Pearland, TX and Giovanni Griffiths of Colorado Springs, CO; sisters-in-law, Evelyn Shaw of Greenville, IL and Cecelia Shaw of O’Neill, NE; and many much-loved nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services were held on Monday, September 12, 2022, at Eastborough Church of the Nazarene in Colorado Springs, CO and burial was held on Wednesday, September 14, 2022, at Pikes Peak National Cemetery in Colorado Springs, CO.
Memorial contributions can be made to Voice of the Truth, PO Box 15013, Colorado Springs, CO 80935 or Eastborough Church of the Nazarene, 4123 E Pikes Peak Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80909. Cards and letters can be sent to Herbert Kenyon, 4929 Dewar Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80916.