Ruthann Simmons, 91, of Overland Park, KS., passed away Tuesday, November 19, 2024. Visitation will be Friday, November 22, 2024, from 10:00am to 11:00am at Porter Funeral Home, 8535 Monrovia, Lenexa, KS. Burial will be immediately following at Mt. Calvary Mausoleum, 1150 N. 38th St., Kansas City, KS. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Alzheimer Association, Heart of America Chapter, 8001 Conser, Suite240, Overland Park, KS., 66204.

Ruthann was born July 20, 1933, in Kansas City, KS., to Joseph Leonard Pankalla and Ruth Theresa Thralls Pankalla. She attended Blessed Sacrament School and graduated from Bishop Ward High School. After graduation, Ruthann went to work as a switchboard operator at Southwestern Bell Yellow Pages. She worked for the company for 38 years where she became an account clerk, taking care of ads and contracts that the people on her crew sold.

Ruthann met her husband, Dale, in Kansas City, KS. They enjoyed looking for antiques, playing cards with friends and taking trips to Branson before Dale passed away suddenly in 1991. Ruthann was also preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Paul Pankalla, her daughter, Dana Simmons and her granddaughter, Gwen Goodman. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Cyndy and Hank Goodman, granddaughter, Tamara Ward, grandson, Ryan Ozburn, great granddaughter, Alyssa Ozburn,  great grandson, Lucas Ward, nieces, nephews and cousins.