Geraldine Ruth Cummings

Mrs. Geraldine “Gerry” Ruth Cummings, 98, died peacefully on March 1st, 2026. Gerry was born on May 11th, 1927, in Topeka, Kansas to Gerald and Alta Ogleby. She graduated from Washburn Rural High School and attended Washburn University. During World War II, she volunteered at the Topeka VA hospital carrying trays for injured or wounded G.I.s, meeting her future husband, Clyde. He had spotted her and stalled in line so she could carry his tray. From then on, they were virtually inseparable during their 66-year marriage.

A lifelong learner, and driven by a sense of adventure, Gerry travelled the world with Clyde. They loved dancing, bowling, playing cards, and anything else they could do together— including raising their two children Carol and Bruce. When she wasn’t at home cooking up her famous fried chicken, she was involved in the PTA as well as Brownie Girl Scouts. Community and faith were important to Gerry—a longtime member and deaconess at Hillside Christian Church, she played an active role in her faith. Throughout her life she worked in various roles at a variety of companies, with a focus on bookkeeping. The job she enjoyed the most was the 12 years she spent at the central office for the North Kansas City School District. Gerry was a loving mother and great-grandmother, taking every opportunity to spend life’s moments together with family.

Preceded in death by her sister, Myrna Stitzel and her husband Clyde, she is survived by her children, Carol (Dean) Foster and Dr. Bruce Cummings; her grandchildren, Alicia (Chris) Eggert and their daughter Lorelei, John Cummings and his daughter Jane-Kathryn, David Mattox, and Madeline (Ariana) Manzella.

Gerry loved spending time with family and was known for her quick wit, sense of humor, and light-hearted presence. She is dearly missed, but her family has found solace that her faith in God has returned her to the loved ones that have preceded her in death and to Clyde’s side so they can continue their inseparable journey.