Eleanor A. Ruge

Eleanor Ann Ruge, 90, passed away Monday, March 5, 2018, with her three loving daughters at her side at Good Samaritan Millard.

Eleanor was born April 19, 1927 to Albert and Olive (Smeaton) Luebs in Grand Island, NE. While growing up she attended rural District 44 & District 6 south of Alda and graduated in 1944 from Grand Island Senior High. She met her love at a masquerade ball in Grand Island during World War II and later, she and Melvin married on December 21, 1947 at St. Pauls Lutheran Church. Their first home was near Chapman, NE. After a few years, they moved and continued farming south of Alda. In 1985 they moved to Grand Island where they operated an antique store called Country Collectibles.

Springtime inspired her love for gardening. She loved to try various varieties of vegetables and flowers. She was a lifetime member of St. Pauls and active in Mary Circle for over 50 years. She was a 4-H leader, Sunday School teacher, and Hall County Fair Open Class Foods Superintendent for many years. She later volunteered at the VA Hospital and St. Francis Hospital Gift Shop. She was a member of the Valley View Extension Club and Grand Island Garden Study Club. She loved playing cards at the Liederkranz, Platt Duetsche, and Elks Club.

Those left to cherish her memory include three daughters and sons-in-law, Linda Thompson of Omaha, Carol (Gary) Lien of Omaha, and Gloria (Robert Jr.) Brockley of Ceresco, NE. Grandchildren Ann (Brian) Sugrue of Savage, MN; Mark (Dawn) Thompson of Plymouth, MN; Jon (Natalie) Lien of Arvada, CO; Megan (Josh) Splattstoesser of Omaha, NE; Daniel (Kelly) Thompson of Cedar Bluffs, NE. Great grandchildren Mason Splattstoesser, Theodore Sugrue, Jackson Lien, Carsten Lien, and Caroline Sugrue. And brother Ralph Luebs of Littleton, CO. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband Melvin (2002).

Celebration of Life Service will be Friday (3-9-18) at 11:00 a.m. at St. Pauls Lutheran Church, 1515 South Harrison, Grand Island, NE. Officiating will be Rev. Edgar Schambach, Jr. Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m. preceding the service. Family burial will be in the Grand Island City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Pauls Lutheran Church or to the family for later designation.