Ruth Kruger

Ruth Elaine Wilkins Kruger was born on March 30, 1925 in Blair, Nebraska to Grover and Fern (Schafer) Wilkins. She grew up on a farm near Kennard and Arlington where she attended Colby Country School before graduating from Arlington High School in 1942. As a young girl, Ruth was active in school, 4-H and a part of the busy activities on the farm including being responsible for having breakfast ready when the men returned from milking the cows. While in college at Midland, she played on the volleyball team and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. Ruth married her high school sweetheart Gene Kruger on December 30, 1943 in the Methodist Church parsonage in Arlington, Nebraska. They raised five boys: Jim, John, Jerry, Joe and Dave as they made their home in Fremont and Arlington before settling in Elkhorn in 1949. In addition to being a wife and mother, Ruth was a teacher, first at Colby School and several country schools near Valley and Elkhorn before teaching 3rd grade at Waterloo Public Schools. Ruth was active in her church, serving in circle and several terms on the church council, she was also involved in Al-Anon. She enjoyed her flowers and traveling with the family, especially to Minnesota and Montana. She was co-founder and partner in Big Red Publications and worked there until her last day. Ruth was a patient, loving woman with a wonderful sense of humor and will be remembered for her contagious laughter and smile. She enjoyed the solitude of reading and crossword puzzles as well as the excitement of Elkhorn Antler sporting events. Ruth was a meticulous homemaker and fantastic cook. Her roast beef dinners, fried chicken dinners, angel food cake, pies, and chocolate chip cookies were legendary among family and friends. Ruth passed away suddenly on Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at the Lakeside Hospital in Omaha at the age of 88 years, 9 months and 9 days. Ruth and Gene celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary 10 days earlier on December 29th with many friends and family members in attendance. She was preceded in death by her parents Grover and Fern, brothers: Bill, Bob, Joe, Gene, Jamie, and sister Eva, and grandson Brandon Orsborn. Ruth is survived by her husband Gene; sons and daughters-in-law: Jim and Mary of Stayton, OR, John and Liza of LaVista, NE, Jerry and Corina of Omaha, Joe and Peggy of North Platte, NE and Dave and Cathy Dunham of Bennington, KS; grandchildren: Eric and Emily Kruger, Michael Kruger, Sara and Savanna Kruger; Jeremy, Nathan, and Joshua Dunham, Britanny and Caleb Peasinger, Breanna Orsborn, Drew and Taylor Holzer; and great granddaughter Aria Peasinger; and the family is happily awaiting the addition of a great grandson very soon.

Ruth Kruger

March 30, 1925 - January 8, 2014