Ruth Kay Hepperle of Bullhead City, Ariz., formerly of Lane County, died Dec. 9 of a brain tumor. She was 73. No service is planned.

She was born Nov. 9, 1938, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, to Walter and Josephine Wheaton Hepperle.

She graduated with a teaching degree from Drake University in Iowa. She worked as an elementary school teacher with the Department of Defense on military and naval bases worldwide for 38 years.

Survivors include two sisters, Jane Cocke of Bullhead City, Ariz., and Mary Ann Ledsworth of Springfield.