Delores Marie Ringer

Delores Marie Ringer, 76, Associate Professor Emerita at the University of Kansas, passed away on Saturday, June 21st, 2025, in Lawrence, Kansas, after a long battle with Ataxia, a degenerative neurological disease.

Delores was born on October 27th, 1948, at Parkview Hospital in Plymouth, Indiana, to Ralph and Rose (Wojcik) Ringer. She graduated from Plymouth High School in the class of 1967. Growing up as an active 4-H’er, she was honored to be the 1967 Marshall County 4-H fair queen.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Drama from Hanover College in Hanover, Indiana, in 1971, and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Theatre Design from Penn State University in 1979.

Delores dedicated her career to the theatre, with roles at a variety of universities including Boise State University, Lewis & Clark College, Barat College, culminating with 30 years at the University of Kansas Department of Theatre & Dance. A gifted scenographer, she lent her artistic vision to creating memorable stage and costume designs for countless productions. She was a tireless advocate and champion for women in the dramatic arts. She was honored with the KU Center for Teaching Excellence Graduate Mentor Award in 2009, and the Emily Taylor Women’s Resource Center Outstanding Woman Educator Award in 2004. In 2006 she was named the Kennedy Center Faculty Fellow in Costume Design at the Summer Design Intensive in Washington D.C.

Throughout her career, she designed for a variety of theatre festivals and repertoire theatre programs, including the American Heartland Theatre, the Nebraska Shakespeare Festival, the Utah Shakespeare Festival, and theatres and dance companies in Chicago, Illinois, and Portland, Oregon.

Beyond the stage, Delores was a talented artist. She often gifted artwork to friends and family, including watercolor landscapes, still lifes of flowers, and stage costume renderings that are proudly displayed to this day. She was also known for her bold fashion that reflected her creative personality.

She had a lifelong love of animals dating back to her childhood growing up on the Ringer family farm. Her dog Moppy was particularly beloved by her colleagues and students, as she often accompanied Delores to many rehearsals, and was even cast in a role as Crab in “The Two Gentlemen of Verona.”

Delores is survived by her three brothers and one sister, Michael (Rox Ann) Ringer, Coldwater, Michigan; Daniel (Janice) Ringer, Bremen, Indiana; Larry (Cindy) Ringer, Lee’s Summit, Missouri; and Carol (James) Renna, Wallingford, Connecticut. Additionally, she is survived by her seven nieces and nephews: Tony Ringer, Dustin Ringer, Ashley Donley, Jason Ringer, Jack Renna, Ben Renna, and Olivia Renna; as well as two great-nieces and two great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Leon Ringer.

A celebration of life will be held at the University of Kansas, William Inge Memorial Theatre, Murphy Hall, on July 19th, from 1 to 3 PM. In honor of Delores’ vibrant style, guests are invited to wear colorful attire.

A graveside service will be held at New Oak Hill Cemetery in Plymouth, Indiana, on July 5th at 11 AM. If you choose to donate in her honor, consider the KU Department of Theatre & Dance, KTWU Public Television, or to your local animal rescue.