Christian Biography of Ruth Hansen

Ruth Lillie Hansen, the daughter of Arthur and Lulu (Wortman) Sykes, was born on February 6, 1916 on a farm between Oak of Ruskin, Nebraska. She was called to her Heavenly Home on January 27, 2014 at the Thayer County Health Services, Hebron, Nebraska at the age of 97 years, 11 months, 21 days.

Ruth was received into God's family through Baptism and Confirmation at Bethany Lutheran Church near Ruskin where she remained a lifelong member.

She received her elementary education at Summit School, District #41 North of Ruskin and graduated from Ruskin High School in 1933. Pursuing her desire to teach, she attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln to complete the necessary normal training, after which she taught 3 years at Summit School.

Ruth was united in marriage to Enos Hansen on April 14, 1940 at the Lutheran Church in Scandia, Kansas. God blessed this union with 3 children. Together they farmed and raised their family near Nora until 1954 when they moved to a farm near Ruskin. In 2001, Ruth moved to Deshler to be near Enos who was then a resident of Parkview Haven Nursing Home. In 2009, she relocated to Courtyard Terrace in Hebron, then moving to Blue Valley Nursing Home in December 2013.

Besides being a member of Bethany Lutheran Church, she was also a member of ELCA Women's Church club, Charter member of Ruskin Extension Club, a 4-H Club Leader, Sunday School Teacher, Bible Camp Cook, and worked several years at the Leprino Cheese Plant in Superior. Ruth enjoyed cooking, sewing and gardening, but most of all spending time with her family and friends.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Enos, sister Myrtle (John) Bergman, brothers, Harry, Art and Rex (Myrna) Sykes; brothers-in-law Harvey Schiermeyer, Bill Fisher, Arnold (Lydia) Hansen, David (Lillian) Hansen, Harold (Hildegarde) Hansen, Harland and Glen Hansen and sister-in-law Martha (Arnold) McIntosh.

Survivors include children Barbara (David) Smith of Lincoln, Nebraska, Gary (Enid) Hansen of Kearney, Nebraska, and Lynette (Don) Koester of Mankato, Kansas; 9 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren; sisters Della Schiermeyer of St. Joseph, Missouri, Fern Fisher of Davenport, Nebraska, Alice Obar of Phoenix, Arizona, and one brother Archie (Lauretta) Sykes of Longmont, Colorado; sisters-in-law Rayoma Sykes of Geneva, Nebraska and Evelene Hansen of Iowa; brother-in-law Edwin (Eleanor) Hansen of Sparta, Wisconsin; nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.

Funeral services were held on Friday, January 31, 2013 from the Bethany Lutheran Church in Ruskin, Nebraska with Pastor Patrick Sipes officiating.

Music was congregation hymns, "Precious Lord Take My Hand", "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" and "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" with Dorcas Judy as organist. A solo of "How Great Thou Art" was sung by Robert Sykes.

Visitation was held on Thursday, January 30, 2014 from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Pallbearers were Mark Smith, Tim Smith, Galen Hansen, Bryan Hansen, Darren Koester and Travis Koester. Honorary pallbearers were Rachelle Bryant, Jennifer Marshbanks and Tracey Rittscher.

Interment was in the Spring Creek Cemetery at Ruskin, Nebraska.

Memorials are suggested to go in care of the family.

Condolences may be sent to Megrue-Price Funeral Home, 750 N Commercial, Superior, Nebraska 68978 or in care of www.pricefuneralhomes.com.

Megrue-Price Funeral Home of Superior, Nebraska was in charge of the arrangements.