Ruth Sughroue Obituary

C. Ruth Sughroue was born on February 7, 1927 at the family homestead southwest of McCook, Nebraska to Austin Wilson Dutcher and Minnie (Tucker) Dutcher. She attended Country School #71 through Grade School and went on to graduate from McCook High School in 1945.
After high school Ruth moved to Washington, D.C. where she was a fingerprint classifier and researcher for the FBI for the remainder of the war years. After returning to McCook she worked for the telephone company.
On June 1, 1948 Ruth was united in marriage to Kenneth James Sughroue at St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Indianola, Nebraska. The couple moved to Lincoln for Kenneth to attend college at the University of Nebraska; he graduated in 1950. Ruth worked as an assembly worker for the Elgin Watch Co. They moved several more times before they settled in Holdrege, Nebraska where they raised their six kids. In 1980 they built their home on family land between Bartley and Indianola. They continued to raise Registered Angus Cattle at KJ River Ranch, with Ruth maintaining the official records for the cattle operation. Ruth also served as vice president of her husband's business, Industrial Pipelines.
Ruth was a member of All Saints Catholic Church in Holdrege, in addition to, St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Indianola. She was an altar society member at both parishes and held several positions for the Orleans Deanery of Catholic Women. Ruth was a proud member of the National Alliance of the Mentally Ill.
Ruth's greatest love was for her family. Kenneth and Ruth were avid Husker fans and attended many home games and several bowl games. They have had season tickets since 1963 and family members still occupy those same seats. Ruth loved living on the farm, working with the cattle and taking care of the gardens and flowers. She made many quilts for family members, China painted and did masterful embroidery. Her hands were always busy.
Her favorite time was when everyone came home, especially at Christmas. A family tradition she loved was working on puzzles with the entire family. She often said, "The family is what makes life worth living."
Ruth passed away on Wednesday, June 25, 2025 at Brookstone Gardens in Kearney, Nebraska. She was 98 years of age.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth in 1998, her son, Pat Sughroue in 2020; granddaughter, Courtney Massoudi in 2007; her parents, Austin and Minnie Dutcher; her parents-in-law, Clarence and Esther Sughroue; three half-brothers, Albert, Ephriam and James; sisters: Flora Dutcher, Elsie (Ted) Fetters, Edna (Frank) Grieninger, Milly (Alvin) Newport, Hazel (Howard) Malleck; Brothers, Calvin Dutcher and Lee Dutcher; and Helen (John) Helm, Doris (Frank) Castelli, Stan Sughroue, Clancy Sughroue, Florence Uerling, and Loretta (Dick) Belknap.
Ruth is survived by her children: Mike Sughroue (Gail) Kearney, NE, Tim Sughroue (Nance) McCook, NE, Becky Nelson Loomis, NE, Angie Ridings (Pat) Marietta, GA, and Dennis Sughroue Indianola, NE; grandchildren: Erin (Derick) Hinch, Sarah E. Sughroue, Sam Sughroue, Sarah R. Sughroue, Jason Sughroue, Shana (Brandon) Schade, Doug (Lai) Sughroue, Alisha (Bryan) Chartier, James (Roni) Sughroue, Jessica (Chris) Sundquist, Tessa (Nate) Wells, Shannon Ridings, Kaley (Dillon) Fern; great-grandchildren: Quinn, Conley and Callaghan Hinch, Kaylin, Kinsey and Kelsyn Sughroue, Lauren and Emily Selph, Alivia and Korbin Schade and Jaxon vanVuuren, Aydan Sughroue, Westlee and Tegan Chartier, Eboni, Irelynn and Liam Sughroue, Zac and Carson Sundquist, Drew, Katie and Sara Wells; surviving brother-in-law, Jerry Uerling along with a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
A Rosary will be recited at 10:30 AM on Tuesday morning, July 1, 2025 at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Indianola, Nebraska. Mass of Christian Burial will follow the Rosary beginning at 11:00 AM. Burial in the St. Catherine Catholic Cemetery in Indianola will follow services.
A time for visitation is scheduled prior to services at the church beginning at 9:30 AM on Tuesday morning.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Ruth's name are suggested to the Indianola Fire and Rescue, PO Box M, Indianola, Nebraska 69034. Online condolences may be left at herrmannfh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook.
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