Ruth Mccauley

Ruth D. McCauley, 97, of Grand Island died Sunday, October 14, 2018 at Riverside Lodge Care Center, Grand Island.



Private memorial services were held at Apfel Funeral Home, Grand Island with Derek Apfel, CFC, officiating. Entombment will be in Trinity United Methodist Church Columbarium, Grand Island. Memorials are suggested to the family to be designated at a later date. Apfel Funeral Home is caring for the family.



Ruth Delight McCauley was born December 23, 1920 in Omaha, Nebraska the daughter of Harlan Porter & Ollie (Street) Whitney. She received her first eight years of her education in a Country School in Prairie Center, near Broken Bow, graduating from Broken Bow High School.

She was united in marriage to Joseph E. Carland, April 5, 1941, who was killed in Germany during World War II on their 4th Wedding Anniversary. She later married Robert R. McCauley, May 18, 1946.



She owned and designed “Needle in the Haystack” for many years. It became a National Business with representation all over the United States, with sales in Paris. Some of her customers were, Natalie Wood, Dick Van Dyke, Cher, Bloomingdales, Lord & Taylor, etc. Earl Merritt was her best friend and companion for 18 years. He preceded her in death December 2, 2013.



She was a member of First Trinity United Methodist Church in Broken Bow, later transferring her membership to Trinity United Methodist Church, Grand Island, Gold Star Wives of America and active member of Flatwater Folk-Art Museum, Brownsville, Nebraska.



Those left to cherish her memory include, her son, Robert Kent McCauly of Dallas, Texas, two daughters & sons-in-law, Bonnie & Dale Nuhfer of Hastings, Nebraska, Libby & Max Mader of Grand Island, five grandchildren, Robert McCauley, Mandy Westerby, Zach Mader, Tabby Hatfield, Todd Mader, several great grandchildren.



She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, Joseph Carland and Robert McCauley, infant son, James Michael McCauley and a brother, Bernard Whitney.