Ruth Marie (Eynard) Kuster

Ruth Marie (Eynard) Kuster, age 101, of Linn, passed away Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Oak Tree Villas in Jefferson City, surrounded by family.

She was born February 15, 1924, to August Eynard and Gertrude (Kramer) Eynard in Bonnots Mill, Missouri. She grew up in Bonnots Mill and was a 1942 graduate of Bonnots Mill High School. After graduation, she attended Saint Louis Business College, one of several schools established in the early 1940s to teach young women office and bookkeeping skills, which were in demand at the time due to the war effort.

Ruth Marie was united in marriage to William H. “Jimmy” Kuster on October 2, 1948, at Saint Louis of France Catholic Church in Bonnots Mill. Jimmy preceded her in death on January 15, 1991.

Alongside her husband, Ruth Marie helped manage Kuster’s Grocery and Service Station, at the corner of First and Main Streets in Linn, which they opened in 1951. After Jimmy’s death, she continued to operate the store until it closed in January 1994. During that time, they also raised 9 children.

Ruth Marie was a member of Saint George Catholic Church in Linn, Saint Ann’s Sodality and was a volunteer for many years at Good Shepherd Food Pantry. She had a strong work ethic, deep Catholic faith and a strong commitment to family that guided her throughout her life. She thrived on keeping active and busy, whether cooking for large family gatherings, taking walks, working in her yard or, of course, attending daily Mass.

Ruth Marie is survived by her 9 children: Tom (Brenda) Kuster of Linn, Kenny (Marlene) Kuster of Jefferson City, Judy (David) Smith of Ballwin, Jean (Robert) Heggie of Glendale, James Kuster of Columbia, Ellen (Larry) Brune of Osage Beach, Steve Kuster of Saint Louis, Rita Kuster of Glendale, and Rose Corbett of Manchester; 12 grandchildren: Ben Kuster, Katie (Kuster) Guntli, Jessica (Kuster) Sinner, Ethan Kuster, Meredith (Smith) Metzger, Ryan Smith, Allison (Smith) Harris, Claire Heggie, Matthew Brune, Peter Brune, Josh Corbett and Grace Corbett; and 14 great-grandchildren: Peter, Will, Joe, Benjamin, Aiden, Sam, Luca, Nolan, Nora, Savannah, Noah, Keegan, Harlow and Tatum. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends.

In addition to her parents and husband of forty-two years, she was preceded in death by 4 siblings: Albin Eynard, Jerome Eynard, Wilfred Eynard and Irene (Eynard) Mertens.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at St. George Catholic Church in Linn with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 12:00 p.m. with Rev. Colin Franklin as the Celebrant. Interment will be held in St. George Parish Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to St. George Catholic Church.

Arrangements are under the direction of Morton Chapel, Linn, Missouri (897-2214) www.mortonchapel.com