Ruth Marie (Eynard) Kuster, 101, Linn, passed away Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, at Oak Tree Villas in Jefferson City, surrounded by family.
She was born Feb. 15, 1924, to the late August Eynard and Gertrude (Kramer) Eynard in Bonnots Mill.
She grew up in Bonnots Mill and was a 1942 graduate of Bonnots Mill High School. After graduation, Ruth Marie 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.
She was united in marriage to William H. “Jimmy” Kuster on Oct. 2, 1948, at Saint Louis of France Catholic Church in Bonnots Mill. Jimmy preceded her in death on Jan. 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 nine 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.
Ruth Marie thrived on keeping active and busy, whether cooking for large family gatherings, taking walks, working in her yard or, of course, attending daily Mass.
She was preceded in death by husband of 42 years,William “Jimmy”; parents, August and Gertrude; and brothers, Albin, Jerome and Wilfred Eynard; and sister, Irene (Eynard) Mertens.
Ruth Marie is survived by children,Tom Kuster and wife Brenda of Linn, Kenny Kuster and wife Marlene of Jefferson City, Judy Smith and husband David of Ballwin, Jean Heggie and husband Robert of Glendale, James Kuster of Columbia, Ellen Brune and husband Larry of Osage Beach, Steve Kuster of Saint Louis, Rita Kuster of Glendale and Rose Corbett of Manchester; grandchildren, Ben and Ethan Kuster, Katie (Kuster) Guntli, Jessica (Kuster) Sinner, Meredith (Smith) Metzger, Ryan Smith, Allison (Smith) Harris, Claire Heggie, Matthew and Peter Brune and Josh and Grace Corbett; great-grandchildren, Peter, Will, Joe, Benjamin, Aiden, Sam, Luca, Nolan, Nora, Savannah, Noah, Keegan, Harlow and Tatum; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., on Saturday, Jan. 31, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. George Catholic Church in Linn, with Rev. Colin Franklin officiating. Interment will be held in St. George Parish Cemetery.
Memorial contributions suggested to St. George Catholic Church.
Arrangements entrusted to Morton Chapel in Linn.
