Ruth M. Harris

Ruth Marie Harris, age 95, of Springfield, Missouri and formerly of Lamar, Missouri passed away, August 10, 2018. Ruth was born January 30, 1923 in Racine, Wisconsin to August and Annetta (Lui) Deragowski. She graduated Lamar High School in 1941. On April 16, 1949, she married Dwain Hunter Harris, and together they raised three children. Ruth taught many years in rural schools and then taught 4th and 5th grade in the Lamar School System for over 30 years, while working on her master’s degree in education from Pittsburg State University. After Dwain’s death in 1999, she married Richard E. Alexander on December 31, 2000 and he preceded her in death December 17, 2007. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Lamar, Missouri State Teacher’s Association, Missouri Retired Teachers Association, and Business and Professional Women’s Association. Survivors include a son, Gregory Harris, rural Lamar, Missouri; two daughters, Carol Harris, Lamar, Missouri, and Cheryl (Randy) Scholze, San Antonio, Texas; three grandchildren, Alexandra Scholze, Wyatt Davis, and Morgan Davis; and one brother, John Deragowski. She was preceded in death by two husbands, Dwain Hunter Harris and Richard E. Alexander; five brothers and three sisters. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 am Thursday, August 16, 2018 at St. Agnes Cathedral, Springfield, Missouri. Private family burial to follow at in Lake Cemetery, Lamar, Missouri. Rosary will be 5:30 pm Wednesday, August 15, 2018 at Daniel Funeral Home. The family will receive friends following the Rosary from 6:00 to 7:00 pm Wednesday. Contributions are suggested to Lamar Guardian Angels for children in need, in care of Daniel Funeral Home.