Obituary for Ruth Evelyn DeHaas (McKinney)
A Celebration of Life service for Ruth Evelyn (McKinney) DeHaas, age 93 years, of Ames, will
be 10 am Monday, January 16, 2023 at Ames Christian Church with Pastor Ian Grimm
officiating. Burial will follow at Ames Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of
Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home and Crematory.
Ruth was born February 22, 1929, to Della Lila (Fyffe) and Adrian Lee McKinney at the family
home ½ mile north of Ames, Oklahoma. She received her education at Ames public school,
graduating high school in 1947, then continued to Phillips University in Enid, studying tailoring
and business and participating in women’s athletics, lettering in basketball her freshman year.
On her birthday in 1948 her sweetheart, Vyron Lee DeHaas (who also shared her birthday of
February 22) proposed, they became engaged and then were married June 5, 1948. They were
blessed with 44 years together before his death in 1992. Ruth was also preceded in death by
her parents, son Larry Lee DeHaas, son-in-law Charles Cooper and daughter Sheryl Sue
Cooper.
Ruth worked for the selective service as a draft board secretary and as a homemaker and farm
wife. She was very involved in the community, volunteering whenever needed. Her children and
grandchildren could always count on her support and encouragement for whatever sports,
hobbies, or interests they participated in. She began attending church when she was a junior in
high school and she then invited her mother to join her. They were both baptized and became
members of the Ames Christian Church in 1946. Ruth was always eager to share her love for
Jesus and served in many roles of the church including song leader, choir director, Sunday
School teacher, leader of Christian Women’s Fellowship group, librarian, church historian, youth
leader, deacon, board member, funeral dinner coordinator, and unofficial visitor greeter and
record keeper of attendees. Ruth was promoted to her heavenly role on Sunday, January 8,
2023.
Ruth is survived by her daughter Teresa Lyn (Terri) Meyer and husband Will of Ames, brother
Robert McKinney and wife Holly of Clemmons, NC; grandchildren; Toni White and husband
Joseph of Edmond, Ray Cooper of Shreveport, LA, Elizabeth Kerl of OKC, Jennifer Short and
husband Eric of Weatherford, Barry DeHaas and wife Christina of Edmond, Sandra DeHaas of
Calumet, Nathan Meyer of Ames, Wyatt Meyer of Enid, Logan Meyer of Ames, 21
great-grandchildren and 17 great-great grandchildren.
Memorial contributions in Ruth’s name may be made to the Ames Christian Church or the Ames Volunteer Fire Department with Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home serving as custodian of the funds.
Condolences may be made, memories shared and services viewed online at www.ladusauevans.com.
be 10 am Monday, January 16, 2023 at Ames Christian Church with Pastor Ian Grimm
officiating. Burial will follow at Ames Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of
Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home and Crematory.
Ruth was born February 22, 1929, to Della Lila (Fyffe) and Adrian Lee McKinney at the family
home ½ mile north of Ames, Oklahoma. She received her education at Ames public school,
graduating high school in 1947, then continued to Phillips University in Enid, studying tailoring
and business and participating in women’s athletics, lettering in basketball her freshman year.
On her birthday in 1948 her sweetheart, Vyron Lee DeHaas (who also shared her birthday of
February 22) proposed, they became engaged and then were married June 5, 1948. They were
blessed with 44 years together before his death in 1992. Ruth was also preceded in death by
her parents, son Larry Lee DeHaas, son-in-law Charles Cooper and daughter Sheryl Sue
Cooper.
Ruth worked for the selective service as a draft board secretary and as a homemaker and farm
wife. She was very involved in the community, volunteering whenever needed. Her children and
grandchildren could always count on her support and encouragement for whatever sports,
hobbies, or interests they participated in. She began attending church when she was a junior in
high school and she then invited her mother to join her. They were both baptized and became
members of the Ames Christian Church in 1946. Ruth was always eager to share her love for
Jesus and served in many roles of the church including song leader, choir director, Sunday
School teacher, leader of Christian Women’s Fellowship group, librarian, church historian, youth
leader, deacon, board member, funeral dinner coordinator, and unofficial visitor greeter and
record keeper of attendees. Ruth was promoted to her heavenly role on Sunday, January 8,
2023.
Ruth is survived by her daughter Teresa Lyn (Terri) Meyer and husband Will of Ames, brother
Robert McKinney and wife Holly of Clemmons, NC; grandchildren; Toni White and husband
Joseph of Edmond, Ray Cooper of Shreveport, LA, Elizabeth Kerl of OKC, Jennifer Short and
husband Eric of Weatherford, Barry DeHaas and wife Christina of Edmond, Sandra DeHaas of
Calumet, Nathan Meyer of Ames, Wyatt Meyer of Enid, Logan Meyer of Ames, 21
great-grandchildren and 17 great-great grandchildren.
Memorial contributions in Ruth’s name may be made to the Ames Christian Church or the Ames Volunteer Fire Department with Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home serving as custodian of the funds.
Condolences may be made, memories shared and services viewed online at www.ladusauevans.com.