Ruth Gerdes

Ruth Ann (Johnson) Gerdes, daughter of Harold and Alice (Grush) Johnson of Auburn, NE passed peacefully to her heavenly home with family at her side on March 9, 2012 at Nemaha County Hospital after an extended illness. She was born on March 14, 1933 at Humboldt, NE. She was one of two daughters born to this marriage.



Her family moved to Bayard, NE during early childhood, later to Honey Creek and Auburn where she received her public school education following her father?s vocational path as an educator. She graduated from Auburn High School in 1951 and continued her formal education at Peru State earning an associate degree in 1953. She began her teaching career at Bellevue, NE and served as a substitute teacher and librarian in the Auburn Public Schools for 29 years, retiring in 1997. She also enjoyed teaching Sunday school and vacation bible school.



She was united in marriage to Marvin Henry Gerdes on April 18, 1954 at the Presbyterian Church in Auburn. This union was blessed with four children Debbie, Kimberly, Jeff and Mike. Ruth and Marv found comfort and enjoyment in raising their family and living their entire married life in Auburn, having celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary on April 18, 2011.



She was a wonderful and loving mother, homemaker and cook, avid sports fan, and very generous to her friends, family and community organizations. She spent her entire life supporting her children and grandchildren?s activities. Ruth spent hours cultivating her doll collection hobby and caring for her pets. She enjoyed working with the young children in the library, dancing, playing golf and looked forward to annual summer family vacations.



She was recognized as ?Community Volunteer of the Year? in 2006, served as a volunteer at the Auburn Senior Center for 13 years, was a member of the St. Paul?s Women of the ELCA, Mrs. JC?s, Junior Women?s Club, Charter Member of the ?11 and 1 Bridge Club? and was a high school Regents Scholarship Winner.



Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Alice Johnson, father and mother-in-law, Alex and Henrietta Gerdes, and brother-in-law Tom Moen.



Those left to celebrate her life are her husband Marvin Gerdes of Auburn, daughter and son-in-law Debbie and Dennis Rippe of Gladstone, MO, daughter Kimberly of Beatrice, NE, son Jeff and wife Debbie Gerdes of Auburn, son Mike and wife Stephanie Gerdes of Auburn, grandchildren Amy and husband Josh McClure of Kansas City, MO, Derek Rippe of Brooklyn, NY, Ben Rippe of Platte City, MO, Jared and wife Maranda Gerdes of Auburn, Megan Gerdes of Omaha, Mackenzie Gerdes, Dustin Gerdes and Alex Gonsalves of Auburn, great grandchildren Braeden and Melia McClure of Kansas City, MO, sister Janice Moen of Vancouver, WA., brother-in-law and wife Virgil and Muriel Gerdes of Tucson, AZ.; other relatives and many friends.



Funeral services will be Tuesday, March 13, 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Auburn. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be at the funeral home Monday 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. with family greeting friends 6:00 to 8:00.



The family appreciates the love and support of family and friends and requests memorials be sent to St. Paul?s Lutheran Church in Auburn or the Auburn Public Library.