Ruth Paul

Ruth Evelyn Metzger Paul, age 96, of Gordon died Monday October 15, 2018 at Parkview Lodge Assisted Living in Rushville, NE.

Ruth Evelyn was born in Gordon, NE at her parent’s home on Cornell St.  January 3rd, 1922 to William Andrew and Pearl Grace (Parker) Metzger. Her early years were spent on the Metzger Ranch, 40 miles southeast of Gordon on Gordon Creek.  Later the family set up permanent residency in Gordon for the children’s education.  Grade school and high school were in Gordon where she graduated in 1939.  She was active in glee club and was an accompanist for orchestra and also competed in soloist competitions.  She then attended Union College in Lincoln where she majored in Piano. She then spent time working in Denver where she worked at an insurance company as a typist. She also spent some time living in California. War broke out in 1942 and Ruth Evelyn returned to work for the telephone company at Provo, S.D. Army Ammunition Depot.

In 1943 with her life settling in a routine she went to a New Year Eve’s dance in Rushville where the Paul’s Band was playing.  It was there that she met Harold “Herb” Paul for the first time.  After dating for six months they married on July 14th, 1944.  They moved to Herb’s home east of Gordon.  These were happy days in a home with no water nor electricity and heated their home with a wood burning stove. In 1945 their daughter Gayle Louise was born.  They purchased the Frank Smith Farm northeast of Gordon in 1947 and this became their permanent home.  In 1948 their son Gary David was born.  Ruth Evelyn spent her life with her husband on the farm, where they raised grain and cattle.

She was active in many civic organizations including Music and Dramatic Club, Daughters of American Revolution, Eastern Star, and Nebraska Cowgirls Stock Grower’s Association, a board member of the Federal Land Bank, as well as helping her husband with his role of secretary/treasurer of the Gordon Rural Fire Department for 41 years. She was a talented pianist and played for many funerals, weddings, churches, and organizations. One of her and her husband’s favorite pastimes was playing cards. They were members of couple’s card clubs and she was a member of several Bridge, Pinochle, and Pitch card clubs.  In her later years in life, she was baptized and joined the Catholic Church.

She is survived by her daughter Gayle (Jerry) Talbot, her son Gary (LaVerna) Paul; her 5 grandchildren: Melissa (Tyson) Amon, Matt Talbot, Aaron (Jennifer) Paul, Steven Paul, and Melanie (Scott) Sterkel; 6 great grandchildren: Brendan Brehmer, Bristol Sterkel, Jayden Paul, Alex Paul, Kaitlyn Yuen, Logan Yuen.  She was preceded in death by her parents, 2 brothers, 2 sisters, and her husband.

Visitation was at 7 p.m. at Chamberlain-Pier Funeral Home in Gordon.  Funeral Services were Friday October 19, 2018 at 10 a.m. at St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Gordon, NE.  Interment was at Gordon Cemetery. Pallbearers were Aaron Paul, Steven Paul, Melissa Amon, Matt Talbot, Melanie Sterkel, Scott Sterkel, Brendan Brehmer.

Family suggest memorials be made to Parkview Lodge Assisted Living, sent in care of Chamberlain-Pier Funeral Home, P.O. Box 366, Gordon, NE 69343.

Visitation
Thursday, October 18, 2018

Service
Friday, October 19, 2018