Mrs. Bland was born Ruth Mary Cowardin on September 26, 1936, in Vinita, Oklahoma. She was a bank manager and teller.

Survivors include a son, Wayne L. Bland II of Elizabethtown, Kentucky; three daughters, Jennifer Bland and Chardelle Atwood, both of the home, and Renee Zimbelman of Moran; a brother, the Rev. Fred T. Cowardin of Port Charlotte, Florida; 17 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Calvary Baptist Church, Vinita. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Vinita.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Luginbuel Funeral Home, 332 N. Scraper, Vinita, is handling arrangements. Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth, Salina 67401, is handling local arrangements.