Richard "Dick" D. Ruth

Richard "Dick" Ruth, 85, of Rising City died Tuesday, December 8, 2020 of natural causes at Brookstone Acres in Columbus.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, PLANTS OR STATUES, Memorials may be given In Care of the Family.


Following the state COVID-19 guidelines and due to increasing COVID positive numbers, we will comply with social distancing seating and limited room capacity at the Funeral Service. When church and basement reaches capacity seating, no entry will be allowed. Masks WILL BE required for entry into the funeral service.

The funeral service will be recorded and available on our website page within 24 hours.

Richard Dean Ruth was born October 26, 1935 in Shelby, Nebraska to Marlin Dean Ruth and Estella (Pool) Ruth. Richard was baptized on May 3, 1936 at United Methodist Church in Rising City.
He attended grade school at Polk County rural Star schoolhouse and graduated from Rising City High School in 1953.
Richard attended the University of Nebraska for one and half years before returning home to farm with his father.
He worked in Lincoln at Standard Reliance Insurance Company in Lincoln until Spring 1957.

Richard and Elaine Ruth Hinze were united in marriage on April 28th, 1957 at Immanuel Luther-an Church in rural Rising City (Millerton). Richard and Elaine had two children: Barton Dean, born January 18, 1959 and Tamara Layne, born October 30, 1960.

Richard joined the Nebraska National Guard in September 1957 and served his country for 6 years.
Richard joined Immanuel Lutheran Church on May 24th, 1959.
Richard worked at the Butler County ASCS (USDA Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service) both in the office and field services.

Richard served throughout his life in various local and civic organizations. He was a Board member and Chairman of the Rising City Board of Education; Board member and Chairman of Rising City & Shelby COOP (Farmers COOP Business Association); Board member and Presi-dent of the Butler County Agricultural Society; and Treasurer, Elder, & Chairman of Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Richard enjoying farming, traveling, bowling, golf, watching football, basketball, and baseball games. Attending Husker football & basketball games, and the College World Series each year were highlights. He especially enjoyed watching his grandchildren’s sporting activities.
Richard and Elaine enjoyed camping locally with their children and grandchildren. Richard and Elaine also enjoyed the winter months in Texas where they made many good friends.

On September 21, 2001, Richard suffered a life changing stroke. In spite of his disabilities he was determined to continue driving the tractor at harvest and the pickup with the camper. Rich-ard and Elaine resumed their annual winter trip to Texas and he continued driving until 2013 when further cancer surgeries made it impossible. Elaine provided loving care at home until he became a resident of Brookstone Acres in Columbus, NE in 2015, where he resided until his death.

Richard is survived by his wife of 63 years, Elaine of Rising City. Children: Barton & Lynne (Blair) Ruth of Rising City. Tamara & Steven Althouse of Waverly, NE.
Grandchildren & Great-Grandchildren: Geoffrey & Christa (Moon) Ruth. Kaleigh, Garrett, & Avery Ruth of Rising City.
Brenton & Elizabeth (Hurst) Ruth of Atlanta, GA. Bolton and Dean Ruth.
Claire & Joe O’Connor of Los Angeles, CA. Owen & Catherine O’Connor
Emily & Tom Salistean of Lincoln, NE. Edwin & Leo Salistean
Hannah Althouse & husband Jacob Schlange of Lincoln, NE
Sister Marlene Suddarth-Wyant (Fred Wyant) of York, Nebraska and numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents.