Ruth Ann Tynes, 80, passed away peacefully Oct. 5, 2025, one day shy of her 81st birthday.
She was born Oct. 6, 1944, to the late Boyd Edward and Thelma Lorene Helmig on their family farm outside Judge.
After graduating from Linn High School in 1962, she worked at the Linn pants factory until she met her one and only love, James (Jim) Tynes.
Ruth Ann was united in marriage to her one and only love, James (Jim) Tynes July 11, 1964.
Together they traveled the United States while working and growing their family—first living in Indiana, where daughter Patricia was born then in Montana where they welcomed sons Jerry and Jeffery, and finally returning to Missouri where son Jack completed their family.
Ruth Ann and Jim were a model of true partnership in marriage—he cooked dinner, she did the dishes, and he would brush her hair as they relaxed and watched TV on their couch after work. They were truly each other’s best friend and favorite sounding board.
From her beautiful gardens, to her many baked treats, to her warm hugs, quick laugh, and ready “yes” to a board game—Ruth Ann Tynes sowed seeds of love that made all those around her feel welcome and special. She loved nothing more than spending time with her family, especially her grandkids and great-grandkids.
A lifelong reader with a sharp wit, Ruth Ann was sometimes known to hide up a tree with a good book when her older sister Mary Jo was assigning chores on the farm. In later years, she was a master storyteller—making even dinnertime stories of her ordinary workdays into something exciting, and cutting her signature side-eye or a chuckle for dramatic effect.
A hard worker with a mind for practical solutions, Ruth Ann worked at the Schlueter’s Factory in Linn for 40+ years. Once when she tried to correct a coworker and they asked if she could do any better at the task, Ruth Ann retorted, “Well, I couldn’t do any worse.” When she was called to the office soon after, expecting to get a talking-to, Ruth Ann was surprised to learn that she’d been promoted to foreman—a role she held for many years. She was happy to lead and teach anyone who was willing to work hard and learn.
At home, Ruth Ann enjoyed collecting antique and unique dishes and glassware, and she loved creating floral arrangements and decorating her house for every season and holiday. Along with her sister Mary Jo, she showed love for her family by baking and decorating cakes for birthdays and weddings. Ruth Ann was especially patient and talented at creating beautiful icing flowers.
Most of all, Ruth Ann was immensely proud of her family and found joy in time spent with them. She was hard to surprise, but one Christmas her son Jeffery succeeded by coming home from the Navy for the holiday without her knowing.
For the lucky kids and grandkids in her life, sleepovers at Ruth Ann’s meant big hugs, glazed donuts and apple fritters for breakfast, cartoons, baking and decorating cookies or cupcakes, and planting and watering the flowers in her yard. One summer, Ruth Ann and Jim put up a swimming pool in their yard for their grandkids. Somehow, the grandkids also convinced her to jump on their trampoline with them; and even to adopt two cats, Tiger and Socks, when their parents said “no” to pet ownership.
Ruth Ann took time to appreciate the small things—like having curlers put into her hair by a giggling child, and having the scent of her lilac bushes described to her, because she’d lost her own sense of smell in childhood. She was always up for a game of checkers or Chinese checkers, and never let her opponent win easily—instead, helping to teach good sportsmanship.
For special times at the family’s deer camp, Ruth Ann would wake up early to greet her family with coffee and great breakfasts; served chili to warm them on their mid-day breaks; and of course, had plenty of sweet treats on hand.
At the end of her life, Ruth Ann lived at Rock Island Assisted Living Center in Eldon. She raved about the loving and caring staff who were always so kind to her, and the wonderful place that it was to call home.
A lifelong member of Solid Rock Baptist Church, Ruth Ann loved and trusted in the Lord. She said she didn’t want others to be sad when she passed, because she knew where she was going and she hoped they did, too.
Ruth Ann was preceded in death by husband Jim; parents, Boyd and Thelma; son, Jack Tynes; and siblings, Mary Jo Skidmore, Barbara Kochenburger, Karen Kay Pearson and Dwight Helmig.
She is survived by children, Patricia Robertson and husband Mark, Jerry Tynes and wife Melissa and Jeffery Tynes and wife Angela; grandchildren, Taylor, Jaxon, Livia Tynes and Trent Tynes and wife Klara; great-grandchildren, Jace, Ali Erny and Wesley Tynes; siblings, Ronda Thompson, Brenda Prouty and husband Jim and Duane Helmig and wife Patsy; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other beloved family.
Visitation will be held from 9 until 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 11, followed by the funeral service at Morton Chapel in Linn with Pastor Troy Sosa officiating. Interment will be held in Solid Rock Cemetery in Judge.
Memorial contributions suggested to Solid Rock Baptist Church or Cemetery.
Arrangements entrusted to Morton Chapel in Linn.
