Ruth Arena

Ruth Cecelia Brazell Arena, 86, of Topeka, formerly of Dixon, Missouri, passed into her Savior's arms surrounded by her family on Tuesday, June 14, 2016.

She was born March 17, 1930, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Walter and Mayme (Young) Brazell. Ruth grew up in Toledo, Ohio. Always a hard worker and a courageous spirit, she filled her life with many adventures, from Baptist Missionary Training School in Chicago, IL, to a Hopi Indian reservation in Arizona. While enlisted in the Women's Army Corps, Ruth met her future husband, Joseph J. Arena, Jr., in Fort Lee, Virginia. They were married on June 11, 1954. Transitioning to the life of an army wife, Ruth supported her family during assignments in France; Ft. Sill, OK and Ft. Richardson, Alaska. In addition to being a wonderful mother, she had a passion for working with children. She ran a large childcare center for the Army. While Joe served two military deployments, she completed a degree in elementary education while in Toledo, Ohio, and at Cameron College in Lawton. Ruth was a beloved elementary school teacher for over 20 years, many of those teaching second grade in Dixon.

After retiring, Ruth and Joe moved to Kansas to be closer to their daughters and their families. She spent many happy years with her family and grandchildren, teaching and sharing her love of sewing and gardening. She passed on her creativity and strong work ethic to her family in many ways. Ruth also enjoyed quilting, was an avid reader of history, and spent years working on compiling her family's genealogy. Ruth was loved dearly by many that she touched over the years.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband of 46 years, and her sister Patricia Brazell. She is survived by her daughter Cynthia Clark, son-in-law of 24 years Bruce Clark, grandson Brandon Clark, granddaughter Taylor Clark, and her daughter Patricia Anne Peveto, son-in-law Ronald Peveto, M.D., grandson Travis Peveto, M.D., granddaughter Ariane Peveto, and granddaughter Jacqueline Peveto.

Visitation will be Monday, June 20, 2016, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Birmingham Martin Funeral Home in Dixon with a brief service following at 1:00 pm. Interment will follow at Roach Cemetery in Doolittle, MO. Memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army or the Alzheimer's Association -Topeka (3625 SW 29th St. Suite 102 Topeka, KS 66614). To leave a message for the family online, please visit www.PenwellGabelTopeka.com.