Ruth Aileen (Reffner) Branch

Ruth Aileen Branch, 86, Florence, formerly of the Sedgwick, Bentley area, died Sunday, July 23, 1995 at St. Luke Hospital, Marion.

She was born March 28, 1909 in Grant Township, Sedgwick County, the daughter of Charles and Magdalena Schuessler Reffner. She was the last surviving child of nine children, all living in rural Newton most of their lives. She attended School in Harvey Couonty, Valley Center and John Brown University in Arkansas. She co-owned with her husband weekly newspapers in Sedgwick, Bentley and in McPherson in the 1940;s. They later lived in Manhattan and then Junction City, where they owned Branch Printing Co. for 27 years. They retired to Newton in 1981.

On June 2, 1928, she married Charles Branch in Harvey County. He died in 1993.

Survivors: a son, Charles V. Branch, Denver, Colorado; two daughters, Frankie Shetterly, Vancouver, Washington and Carole Gilman, Salina; 8 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

Memorial service is Saturdayk July 29 at Petersen Funeral Home, Newton. Burial was private.