Ruth Marie Bien, 87, Harrisonville, MO, passed away at home on Sunday, December 7, 2014. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday, December 11, 2014 at the Harrisonville United Methodist Church, 2600 E. Mechanic, with visitation from 10:00-11:00 AM at the church. Burial will be in Orient Cemetery, Harrisonville.

Ruth Marie was born May 15, 1927 in Harrisonville, MO, the daughter of Charles R. and Martha W. (Braun) George. She lived well, loved strongly and loyally and made the very most of what life had to offer. A child of the Great Depression and a 1945 graduate of Harrisonville, MO High School, she continued her education at Park College and Kansas City Business College, graduating in 1947.

Ruth Marie returned to Harrisonville and worked initially at the local office of the Soil Conservation and Crop Service where her father, a retired farmer, was the local director. In the late '40s she met the love of her life, Bernie Bien, who she married on February 23, 1950. They were happily married for 58 years. Their first adventure together was relocation to Leavenworth, KS where she worked at Fort Leavenworth. They later returned to Harrisonville where she initially focused on raising two children. In 1966, she started a 28-year career at the Cass R-IX Harrisonville Schools where she served first as secretary to four high school Principals and later as secretary to two Superintendents and the Board of Education. A lifelong learner, she was passionate about public education and its role in the community.

Although work was important, her priority was family, church and community. A Methodist since marriage (raised in the Harrisonville Baptist Church), she was active in the Harrisonville United Methodist Church serving as Trustee, President of United Methodist Women and the Ruth Circle. She enjoyed many friends and their shared interests in a variety of community and civic activities including the "Lunch Bunch," Lions Club, Business and Professional Women's Club (Past President and Woman of the Year), Progressive Priscilla's, and the Harrisonville Public School Foundation.

Always an excellent cook, her greatest satisfaction was advising guests to "make out your meal" when the inevitable second and third helpings were taken. An avid gardener and bird watcher, she spent many hours outdoors tending to flowers and enjoying the change in seasons at home, and during many trips with Bernie and at their favorite destination, Bennett Springs State Park.

Ruth Marie was preceded in death by her husband, parents and brother, John. She is survived by her sister, Betty Lou (Don) of St. James, MO, one son, Richard Bien and his wife, Cathy, Leawood, KS; one daughter, Marianne Parker and her husband, Rick, Golden, MO; six grandchildren, Adam (Andrea) Bien of Overland Park, KS, Carrie, Andrew and Becky Bien all of Kansas City, MO and Michelle Parker and Melissa (Lloyd) Gould; and three great-grandchildren, Alexia, Trenton and Bella Gould all of Harrisonville.

Ruth loved and was well loved by friends and family. During her final illness, she greatly appreciated the care of Dr. William T. Stevenson and the infusion clinic staff at Cass Regional Medical Center with whom she shared her fortitude and sense of humor.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Cass Medical Center Foundation designating the Infusion Care Practice as the recipient or the Harrisonville Public School Foundation.