Ruth E. Hansen

Monday, April 24, 2017

Ruth E. Hansen

Sept. 14, 1920 - Jan. 23, 2017

OGALLALA, Neb. — Ruth E. Hansen, longtime Brule resident, passed away Monday, Jan. 23, 2017, at the Indian Hills Manor in Ogallala.

Ruth was born on a farm south of Elsie, Neb., on Sept. 14, 1920, to Guy and Myrrel (Skinner) Sparks, the oldest of nine children. She rode a horse to school in the early years and graduated from Wallace High School in 1939. That same year, she married Oliver (Bud) Purbaugh, and they had three daughters, Betty Christine, Nancy Carol and Janet Diane.

Ruth and her youngest two daughters moved to Ogallala in 1964 where she worked at TRW, Sullivan's Department Store & the Variety Center. On Sept 3, 1965, she and Delbert Lee Hansen were married and they celebrated their 51st anniversary last September. They lived in Ogallala for many years before moving to their present home in Brule, Neb. In 1985, Delbert took a job in Denver and the couple moved in with their daughter, Nancy and her husband Jim. They would spend three weeks in Denver and then returned to Brule, where they maintained their home. This arrangement lasted until Delbert's retirement in 1998.

Ruth and Delbert took many special vacations during their time together. For years Ruth enjoyed being a Pink Lady at the hospital, she loved sewing and made the bridesmaid dresses for all three of her granddaughter's weddings. She was in the quilting club at church for many years, attended bible studies, and enjoyed crafts of all kinds, including making ceramic figures, decorating cakes and painting scenic mountain pictures with oils. One of her favorite delights was camping with family at Cutty's Resort in Colorado. She was a former resident of Southwest Nebraska.

Ruth wrote she "asked Jesus into her heart and to forgive her sins when she watched a Billy Graham show on TV in 1977." Later, she attended a Billy Graham Crusade in Denver. Delbert was a faithful caregiver after Ruth's health declined, and kept her sharp. Their great-granddaughter said, "you can tell how much they love each other by the way they always look at each other and tease each other."

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, and brothers, Lyle, Joe, and Glenn.

Ruth is survived by her beloved husband, Delbert; children, Betty Meacham of Wichita, Kan., Nancy (Jim) Palmer of Brighton, Colo., and Janet Miller of Lewellen, Neb.; her sister, Alice; brothers, Stanley (Jane), Roy (Ardis), David and Gary (Ginger); sisters-in law, Bonnie, Vi and Greta; three granddaughters, Michelle (John) Barrette and Annette (Joe) Kopacz, all of Monument, Colo., and Debbie (Rick) Arrick of Brighton; grandson, Steve (Liesl) Palmer of Tennessee; 14 great-grandchildren and two great-great-granddaughters; and also many dear friends.

A memorial has been established in her memory for later designation. Condolences can be shared online at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com.

Services will be Friday, April 28, 2017, at 11 a.m. at the First Congregational Church in Brule with Pastor Lisa Hadler officiating. Interment of cremains will be in the Morningview Cemetery in Wallace, Neb.

Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.