Ruth Nelson October 27, 1927 ~ January 16, 2012
		Draucker Funeral Home 700 N. Spruce Street Post Office Box 296 Ogallala, NE 69153 Ph:  308.284.4021

 OBITUARY

 
Ruth Nelson, 84, longtime Ogallala resident and businesswoman, died Monday, January 16, in the Ogallala Community  Hospital.

Ruth Mary Nelson was born October 27, 1927 at David City, Nebraska, the daughter of Louis Jacob and Margaret Helen (Kruse) Reinhardt.

Ruth received her early education in David City, graduating from high school in 1945. She then attended Nebraska Wesleyan University for two years receiving a teaching certificate. While at Wesleyan, she was a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority. Ruth taught school in Grand Island for two years. She taught school in Laramie, Wyo. for one year. While teaching, Ruth continued her education by taking summer school at Greeley, Colo.

On June 10, 1951 Ruth was united in marriage to William Howard Nelson at David City. The couple resided south of Brule where they farmed for twenty years. In 1971 the family moved to Ogallala. They were the owners and operators of Nelson's Dairy Creme for over twenty years.

In 1988 Ruth became the Director of the Keith County Senior Center. After leaving the Senior Center, she was employed by Buenz Drug delivering prescriptions. She was a member of the Ogallala First Congregational, United Church of Christ. She is a fifty+ year member and a Past Worthy Matron of the Order of Eastern Star, Ogallala Chapter 142. Ruth's hobbies include cooking and gardening and she especially enjoyed volunteering her teaching skills in the GED program.

Preceding her in death were her parents, husband Bill Nelson, and brother Thomas Reinhardt.

Survivors include daughters Nancy and her husband Gary Bashaw of Springfield, VA, and Susan Nelson of Niwot, CO, and one son William H. "Bill" Nelson, II. of Ogallala, NE.

Visitation will be Thursday, Jan.19, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Draucker Funeral Home.

The funeral service will be Friday, Jan. 20, at 11 a.m. in the Ogallala First Congregational, United Church of Christ with Rev. Lauran Heidenreich officiating. Funeral Rites will be rendered by Order of Eastern Star, Ogallala Chapter 142.

Interment is in the Brule Cemetery. A memorial has been established to the Keith County Senior Center. Online Condolences may be sent by clicking here.

Draucker Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.