Ruth Marie Opie, 97, died August 2, 2014 at Via Christi Manhattan in Manhattan. Born November 17, 1916, in Great Bend, she was the daughter of Robert and Helena (Otto) Essmiller. On January 30, 1938, she married Ralph E. Opie in Great Bend. He died on January 19, 2005. A lifelong homemaker and farm wife, she had resided in Manhattan since 2008, coming from Great Bend, where she had resided most of her life. Mrs. Opie was a was member of the First United Methodist Church, Order of the Eastern Star, Lakeside Club, EHU Liberty Unit, and the Busy Buzzers 4-H Club, all of the Great Bend area. Survivors include two daughters, Roberta Bartlett of Great Bend, and Rae Jean Hunt and husband Melvin of Manhattan; two grandchildren, Paige Vande Giessen and Holly Tuma; and five great-grandchildren, Dylan Payne, Drew Payne, Bailey Vande Giessen, Megan Vande Giessen, and Abby Tuma. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Robert, Ralph, and Otto Essmiller; and two grandchildren, Eric and Todd Kintigh. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, August 7, 2014 at the Great Bend Cemetery with the Reverend Lennie Maxwell officiating. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 6, 2014 at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to Sunflower Shrine Travel Fund, in care of the funeral home.