Ruth Marjorie McNickle, 96, of Lincoln, passed away on June 6, 2009 at the Madonna Rehab Hospital, Lincoln, NE.

She was born on December 14, 1912 to Ernie and Maud (Swan) Lewis on a farm north of Fairmont, NE. As an infant, she lived near Fairmont, NE. Ruth and her parents moved to a farm 12 miles south of Farnam in 1915 and then later moved to a farm 1 ˝ miles south of Farnam. Later they moved into Farnam where her parents ran the Stebbins Hotel. A couple of years later they moved to the Carman Café for 2 years and then back to the hotel. In 1929 they moved to a home in the south part of Farnam. She graduated from Farnam High School in 1930. She taught school for 3 years after graduating from high school; 2 years in a rural school west and south of Farnam and 1 year east and north of Cozad NE.

On July 17, 1933 she married Max McNickle at Basset, NE. After her marriage she was a full time wife and mother to the children Ronald and Janet. Ruth and Max lived on a farm north of Farnam for 8 years. In 1941 they moved to Alden IA. In 1943 they moved to Iowa Falls, IA. Then in 1945 they moved back to Farnam NE, where they farmed from 1945-1970. Upon Max's retirement in 1970, they moved into Farnam. After Max's death, Ruth moved to Lincoln NE in 1992. In 2004, she moved to Legacy Retirement Community, Lincoln NE.

She was a member of Farnam United Methodist Church and belonged to the Women's Society and North Aid. While in Lincoln, Ruth attended Second Baptist Church. Ruth always enjoyed doing her crossword puzzles and playing Pinochle at card club in Farnam and later at Legacy.

Ruth is survived by her daughter - Janet (Alvin) Mandery of Lincoln, NE; granddaughters - Kimberly (Brad) Memming of Lincoln, NE, Maurine (Dave) Amend of Grand Prairie, TX ; Sister-in-laws Kay Meyers of Florence, CO, Marion Newton of Sheridan, WY, Alice McNickle of AR; Great-grandsons - Brandon Memming, Jeremie Memming, and Mitchel Memming all of Lincoln, NE; along with many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She was preceded in death by father, Ernie Lewis, mother, Maud Lewis, brother, Ronald Lewis, husband, Max LaVern McNickle, son, Ronald McNickle.

Visitation will be Thursday June 11, 2009, from Noon to 8 p.m. with the family present from 6-8 p.m., at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel in Gothenburg. Services will be on Friday, June 12, 2009, at 1 p.m. at the Farnam United Methodist Church with Pastor Tess Hufford officiating. Burial will take place in the Farnam Cemetery.

Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, 9 June 2009.