Ruth Oldenburg

Ruth Marie (Holzberger) Oldenburg, 94, was born to Christian and Alvina (Krueger) Holzberger on October 26, 1923 at the family farm twelve miles northwest of Gordon, NE. She attended country school at Lone Pine #75 through eighth grade and attended Gordon High School graduating in 1941 with the Normal Training class and attained the requirements for earning an elementary teacher's certificate which was renewed every three years by attending college summer school. She attended Chadron State and Concordia College, Seward, NE. She enjoyed teaching in several rural schools in the Gordon and Rushville area for 10 years.

Ruth married Bland Oldenburg, a local farmer-rancher, on August 14, 1949 and they resided at their farm home four miles northwest of Gordon, where they shared a loving and fulfilling life for almost 60 years. Here they raised their three children, Kurt, Kristy and Karol. Ruth liked being a farm-ranch wife and was involved in most aspects of the farm-ranch.

Ruth was a loving mother to her children and greatly enjoyed spending time with her family and being a home maker, tending her flowers/garden and creating picture books of family and community. Holidays were very meaningful to Ruth. Her home was decorated for the season; Christmas was special with her children, grandchildren and extended family coming to enjoy the festivities.

Ruth was a lifelong member of Grace Lutheran Church, Gordon, Nebraska, being baptized when she was one month old by Rev. H. M. Roth, the same pastor that confirmed her in 1938 and married Bland and her in 1949. She was active in teaching Sunday School, Bible School, helping with the youth group and was involved in the Lutheran Women's Missionary League. She served on the Sheridan County Extension Board and was involved in 4-H and a member of the Mt. Pleasant Home Extension Club until it disbanded in 2012.

Ruth passed away March 18, 2018 at Gordon Countryside Care where she felt loved and cared for by the staff for the past three years.

Ruth was preceded in death by her beloved husband Bland, April 2009, son Kurt, infant son Kerry, parents, and brother Milbert Holzberger and wife Edna Mae, brother Elmer Holzberger and brother-in-law Glen Oldenburg.

Ruth is survived by daughter Kristy and husband Roger Volentine, North Platte, NE, daughter Karol and husband Ed Swotek, Lincoln, NE. Grandchildren: Jason Volentine, wife Hailey and great grandson Leo, Phoenix, AZ; Angela and husband Alex Atherton, Houston, TX; KayCee Oldenburg, Lincoln, NE; Kerry Oldenburg, Lincoln, NE; Sheridan, John, David Swotek, Lincoln, NE; sister-in-law Norma Jean Holzberger, Gordon, NE; brother-in-law Dorrance Oldenburg and wife Phyllis, Yorkville, IL; one nephew and five nieces.

Funeral Services will be held Wednesday March 21, 2018, 1:30 pm at Grace Lutheran Church, Gordon, Nebraska. Burial will be in the Gordon Cemetery. A memorial has been established for the Grace Lutheran Church and donations may be sent in care of Chamberlain-Pier Funeral Home, PO Box 366, Gordon, Nebraska, 69343.

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