Ruth C. Taylor

Hastings resident, Ruth Carolina Alvina Taylor, 90, passed away Sunday, February 19, 2012 at the Kenesaw Haven Home, Kenesaw, NE. Services will be Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 10 am at Peace Lutheran Church in Hastings, NE, with Rev. Marcus MacKay officiating. Burial will be in the Kenesaw Cemetery, Kenesaw, Ne. Visitation will be Tuesday, February 21, 2012 from 2 pm to 8 pm with the family present from 5 pm to 8 pm and Wednesday, February 22, 2012 from 9 am to 8 pm at the Jackson-Wilson Funeral Home, Kenesaw, NE. Condolences may be sent to the family from www.brandwilson.com. Ruth was born August 1, 1921 to Martin and Emma Meyer Finnigsmier on the family farm west of Kenesaw, NE. She was baptized at home on August 27, 1921. She was confirmed into the Lutheran faith on May 5, 1934 at the St. Pauls Lutheran Church in Kenesaw, NE. She graduated from the Kenesaw High School in 1938. She attended Kearney State Teachers College and taught seven years in rural county schools in Adams County and four years in elementary schools in Juniata and Clay Center, Ne. On June 2, 1946 she married Bernard H. Taylor in Kenesaw, NE. They lived in Clay Center, Cozad and Tilden, NE before settling in Hastings, NE in 1959. They were blessed with one child, Connie Sue. Ruth was a member of the Peace Lutheran Church in Hastings, NE, where she was the church secretary for 20 years, retiring in 1996. She also taught Sunday School and Midweek School for many years. She served in the LWML and held many offices. She was President of the LWML District South of Nebraska from 1968 to 1972. Ruth served on the Syndical District Committee that searched for and purchased Camp Luther near Schuyler, NE. She was secretary of the Adams County Republican Party, 4-H Leader and Brownie Scout leader and a Pink Lady for the MLMH Auxiliary. Ruth loved her huge garden which she shared the bounties with relatives, friends, and neighbors. She had a green thumb and raised many beautiful flowers. Her beautiful smile and contagious laugh will be remembered and cherished by all who knew and loved her. She loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and is now in Heaven with him. Ruth is survived by daughter, Connie Valentine and husband Fred of Juniata, NE, one granddaughter, Katie Borne and husband Heath of Luling, LA, three step grandchildren, Robert and Rebecca Valentine and Michael Molner of Hastings, NE. six step great grandchildren, one brother Dale Finnigsmier and wife Harriette of Kenesaw, NE, nieces and spouses and many great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Barney in 1978, one grandson, Jamie Callan in 1988, two brothers Gilbert and infant Esker, and two sisters, Wauneta and Dorothy and their spouses. Memorials may be given to Peace Lutheran Church or Mary Lanning Hospice, both in Hastings, NE.