Ruth E. Hansen

September 14, 1920 - January 23, 2017

Ruth E. Hansen, longtime Brule resident, passed away Monday, January 23, 2017 at the Indian Hills Manor in Ogallala. Ruth was born on a farm south of Elsie, NE on September 14, 1920 to Guy & Myrrel (Skinner) Sparks, the oldest of 9 children. She rode a horse to school in the early years and graduated from Wallace High School in 1939. The same year she married Oliver (Bud) Purbaugh, and they had 3 daughters; Betty Christine, Nancy Carol and Janet Diane. Ruth and her youngest 2 daughters moved to Ogallala in 1964 where she worked at TRW, Sullivan's Department Store & the Variety Center. On Sept 3, 1965, she and Delbert Lee Hansen were married and they celebrated their 51st anniversary last September. They lived in Ogallala for many years before moving to their present home in Brule, NE. In 1985, Delbert took a job in Denver and the couple moved in with their daughter Nancy and her husband Jim. They would spend 3 weeks in Denver, and then return to Brule, where they maintained their home. This arrangement lasted until Delbert's retirement in 1998. Ruth and Delbert took many special vacations during their time together. For years Ruth enjoyed being a Pink Lady at the hospital, she loved sewing and made the bridesmaid dresses for all 3 of her granddaughter's weddings, she was in the quilting club at church for many years, attended bible studies, and enjoyed crafts of all kinds including making ceramic figures, decorating cakes and painting scenic mountain pictures with oils. One of her favorite delights was camping with family at Cutty's Resort in Colorado. Ruth wrote she "asked Jesus into her heart and to forgive her sins when she watched a Billy Graham Show on TV in 1977." Later, she attended a Billy Graham Crusade in Denver. Delbert was a faithful caregiver after Ruth's health declined, and kept her sharp. Their great-granddaughter said, "you can tell how much they love each other by the way they always look at each other and tease each other." Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, and brothers, Lyle, Joe, and Glenn. Ruth is survived by her beloved husband, Delbert; children Betty Meacham of Wichita KS, Nancy (Jim) Palmer of Brighton CO, Janet Miller of Lewellen, NE; her sister Alice; brothers Stanley (Jane), Roy (Ardis), David & Gary (Ginger), sister-in laws Bonnie, Vi & Greta; three granddaughters: Michelle (John) Barrette and Annette (Joe) Kopacz all of Monument, CO, Debbie (Rick) Arrick of Brighton, CO; grandson Steve (Liesl) Palmer of TN; 14 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great granddaughters, also many Hansen in-laws and cherished friends. A memorial has been established in her memory for later designation. Condolences can be shared online at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com. Services will be Friday, April 28, 2017 at 11am at the First Congregational Church in Brule, NE with Pastor Lisa Hadler officiating. Interment of cremains will be in the Morningview Cemetery in Wallace, NE. Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala, NE is in charge of arrangements.