Rose Ann Leonard

Rose Ann (Ruhkamp) Leonard, 84, of Topeka, died August 14, 2015 at Manor Care from complications of diabetes. She was born on March 22, 1931 on a farm near Hanover, Kansas the daughter of August W. and Anna Marie (Landoll) Ruhkamp. Rose attended Farmers School, a small stone building, to which she walked a mile each day with her younger brothers and sisters. She always appreciated the teachers just out of high school who had passed a normal training course. Rose graduated from Hanover High School with a scholarship to Marymount College in Salina, Ks. She taught in Chicago and Salina and was a Principal in Boonville, MO. and Leawood, KS. She was also in charge of the Junior High in Junction City. Rose left the convent of the Sisters of St. Joseph after 15 years due to the personal beliefs about Post Vatican II changes in the community. She went on to earn a Master's Degree from Kansas State. Rose taught Special Education in South Houston, Texas for 25 years prior to her retirement. Altogether she spent 46 years teaching. She married James Leonard in Kansas City, Ks. on August 13, 1975. He was suffering from Parkinson's Disease and she cared for him. He was a Jewish refugee from Egypt who spoke seven languages fluently and left a fortune in Egypt. She loved classical music and opera and was interested in History and Politics. She always maintained that if you didn't know your history you wouldn't understand the future and was very critical of today's historians who didn't accurately present the facts so as to distort your thinking of the past and reshape you thinking for today. She is survived by one sister, LaVerna Ronnebaum of Axtell, Ks, one brother, Gilbert (Patricia) Ruhkamp of Salina, KS, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a sister Joyce Frederick and two brothers, Rev. Melvin J. Ruhkamp and Harry Ruhkamp. Rose will lie in state at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church on Tuesday, August 18th, after 9:30 a.m. followed by prayerful reflection from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church and sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, Kansas 66603. Online condolences and fond memories may be left at www.brennanmathenafh.com.