Ruth A. Cortez

Ruth Anita Cortez, 91, of Belton Missouri, formerly Springfield, Missouri, Las Cruces, New Mexico and Moline, Illinois, departed this life, Monday, October 20, 2025. Ruth was born on September 3, 1934, in Sidonia, Tennessee. She was the fourth child of Dalton Lee and the first child of Volena (Jackson) Lee. Ruth was called Ann or Anita by her family.

Anita led a full life. She married Ludwig Ingram Einess, Jr., on November 19, 1955, and had three children. Jeff (12-5-1956), Suann (5-24-1964), and Chris (5-10-1966). During their marriage, they were highly involved in supporting political campaigns and candidates. While raising her children, she was a homemaker and involved in retail sales. She loved to open her home to cook and entertain for family and friends. Anita and Lud divorced in 1983.

Several years later she was asked to move to Albuquerque, New Mexico and run the phone campaign for entire state of New Mexico for the reelection of Ronald Reagan in 1984. There she met William "Bill" Cortez and got married in 1985. They moved shortly after to Las Cruces. Together they ran a successful insurance agency. They qualified numerous times for the high honor of the President’s Club that earned them annual trips to places like Hong Kong, Australia and Spain. They divorced in 1995.

Anita, soon after, moved to Springfield to live closer to family and friends. Several years later she eventually moved to Kansas City to be next to her children and grandchildren. She went back to work in retail sales and eventually retired to enjoy gardening, flowers, especially her beautiful orchids. She continued her love of sewing, cooking and shopping. Above all she enjoyed spending time with her kids and grandkids.

She will be greatly missed along with her with a huge heart that can only be shared by a wonderful mother and grandmother. We will miss you Ma……

Anita was preceded in death by her parents and three siblings GW Lee, Joseph Lee, and Susie Mae Lee Morgan. She is survived by a brother Duane Lee of Florida; her three children Jeff (and Lisa) of Las Cruces, Suann (and Phil) Blunt of Independence, Missouri, and Chris (and Melissa) Einess of Raymore, Missouri: six grandchildren, Brittany Saenz, Courtney Einess, Faith Einess, Christian Einess, Benjamin Einess, and Joshua Einess. Three great grandchildren, Elijah, Micah, and Messiah.

A celebration of life was held October 25, 2025, at the Stanley Edenburn Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Alzheimer & #39's Association, https://donorservices.alz.org.

Arrangements: Stanley-Edenburn Funeral Home, 203 N. Armstrong St., Pleasant Hill, Missouri 64080 (816) 540-5550