Name of Deceased: Dr. Ruth Boxberger
Date of Death: September 8, 2013
Place of Death: Hays Medical Center, Hays, Kansas
Date of Birth: September 28, 1919 at Russell County, Kansas
Parents Name: Henry G. & Eugenia (Becker) Boxberger
OBITUARY INFORMATION
Dr. Boxberger attended Russell County Schools, graduating from Russell High School. She attended Colorado Women’s College and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Kansas State Teachers College at Emporia. She received her Master of Science degree from the University of Minnesota and her Doctorate degree from the University of Kansas. She was the first woman in the United States to receive a PhD in music therapy.
She taught school at Severy High School, Severy, Kan.; and at Pawnee Rock High School, Pawnee Rock, Kan. She was Professor of Music at Ohio University, Athens, Ohio; the University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kan.; and East Carolina University for twenty years, until her retirement in 1987. She also did hospital work for the Veterans Administration Hospital, Knoxville, Iowa; U. S. Army Hospital, Battle Creek, Mich.; and Shepherd Air Force Regional Hospital, Wichita Falls, Texas.
Following her retirement, Dr. Boxberger moved to Great Bend, Kansas, in 1993, coming from Greenville, North Carolina.
She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Great Bend, American Association of University Women, League of Women Voters, National Music Therapy Association, and University of Kansas Alumni Association.
SURVIVORS
Two Sisters: Esther Ethem of Parker, CO, JoAnne Kreie and her husband Jim of Great Bend, KS
Six nieces and nephews: Gary Boxberger, Linda Boxberger, Audrey Vaughn, Kirk Kreie, Lynne Petzold, and Henry Ethem
Numerous Great Nieces and Nephews
Dog: Missy
She was preceded in death by one brother, Carl William Boxberger, one sister, Virginia Rein, and one niece, Karen (Rein) Penland.
SERVICE INFORMATION
Graveside Service: Saturday, September 14, 2013
Time of Service: 11:00 a.m.
Place of Service: Russell City Cemetery in Russell
Officiant: The Reverend James A. Strasen
Interment: Russell City Cemetery, Russell, Kansas
Visitation: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday, September 13, 2013 at Bryant Funeral Home
Memorial Fund: American Cancer Society, in care of Bryant Funeral Home
Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net
Arrangements by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Road Great Bend, Kansas 67530