Ruth Russell, 86, longtime Ogallala resident, died Oct. 26, 2011, at the Ogallala Community Hospital.

Ruth Elverta Russell was born Feb. 10, 1925, in Orafino, the daughter of Oliver A. and Cora E. Brown Sheffield. Ruth received her early education in Farnam. After graduating from Farnam High School in 1942, Ruth completed normal training and then taught rural school in Dawson County.

On Jan. 25, 1943, Ruth married Dale E. Russell at Farnam. The couple lived in Indiana and Washington for a short time while Dale served in the Navy. After Dale was discharged, the couple settled in Eustis. They moved to Ogallala in 1953 and Ruth worked various jobs until becoming a secretary for the Girl Scout council office. In 1964 Ruth and Dale began their business, Dale's Locker. Ruth retired in 1969.

Ruth was a member of the First United Methodist Church and served as the district and state treasurer of the United Methodist Women. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the Retired Teachers Association. Ruth was a past Worthy Matron of the Ogallala Eastern Star No. 142 and was the Grand Representative of Nebraska in Rhode Island for the Nebraska Grand Chapter. In recent years she enjoyed being part of the Retired Seniors Volunteer Program.

Preceding her in death was her husband; parents; brother, Wilbur Sheffield; grandson, Justin Beckius; grandson-in-law, Robert Ware; three sisters-in-law, Beulah Russell, Helen Clement and Helen Sheffield; four brothers-in-law, Albert Soller, Nick Nickerson, Joy Russell and Ralph Clement.

Ruth's family includes two daughters, Dianne (Orv) Wiberg, of Loup City, and Cheryl (Bernard) Beckius, of Keystone; two sisters, Alice Hutchinson, of North Platte, and Pearl Nickerson, of Lexington; one brother-in-law, Roy Hutchinson, of North Platte; grandchildren, Bradley D. Knaub, Michele R. Bancroft, Christine M. (Will) McKnight, all of Ogallala, Mindy L. (Toby) Bellar, of Norman, Okla., and Carrie L. (Dan) Knapp, of Paxton; granddaughter-in-law, Teri L. Elmshaeuser, of Ogallala, eight great-grandchildren, Cory and KC Knaub, Blake Lothert, Dagon Bellar, Cody Ware-McKnight and Jaycee McKnight, and Cole and Jessica Beckius; three step-granddaughters and 10 step-great-grandchildren; and three step-great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be Sunday, Oct. 30, from 1-5 p.m. at Draucker Funeral Home.

Services will be at 10 a.m., Monday, Oct. 31, at the First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Chuck Rager officiating. Funeral Rites will be given by the Order of Eastern Star, Ogallala Chapter No. 142. Interment is at the Ogallala Cemetery. A memorial has been established to the First United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be sent to www.drauckerfh.com. Draucker Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.

North Platte Telegraph, 29 October 2011