Ruth A. Gerler was born Oct. 19, 1933, in Plainview and baptized Nov. 12, 1933.
She went to school in Plainview through the fifth grade. When World War II started, the family moved to Sioux Army Depot (S.A.D.), where her dad took a job as a guard. She was confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sidney on May 2, 1948. She went to Brownson for her sixth grade and to Sidney for her junior and senior years. She worked at the Dime Store in Sidney while attending high school and also at the grocery store in Potter during the summer months. She graduated from Sidney High School in 1952. After finishing high school, she worked at the S.A.D. for a year and then moved to Ogallala for three years before moving back to Sidney and marrying Gerald on Aug. 17, 1957. They bought a house and lived in Sidney until 1974, when they moved to Kansas City for Gerald’s job with A.T.&T. They lived in Kansas City until retirement when they moved to Seward in 1989. They were members of St. John Lutheran Church.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald E. Gerler; parents, John and Ada Seevers; son-in-law, William Dodgen, Jr.; sister, Verna (Don) Lingwall; brothers, Wilford Seevers, Arnold Seevers, Herbert (Lorraine) Seevers and Fern Seevers; sisters-in-law, Darlene (Elvin) Thies and Arlene Seevers.
Survivors include daughters, Debra Gerler and Jane (Bryce) Johnson; grandchildren, Brandy (Joey) Ford and William Dodgen III; great-grandchildren, Briana Ford (fiancé, Joseph Miner), Kaelyn Johnson, Sylas Chalmers, Cohen Chalmers, Evalisse Sanchez and Sammy Sanchez; brothers, John J. Seevers and Gerhart (Thelma) Seevers.
Visitation is from 3 – 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 28, at Volzke Funeral Home in Seward with a gathering of family and friends from 6:30 – 8 p.m. The funeral service is at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 29, at St. John Lutheran Church with committal at the Greenwood Cemetery in Seward. Memorial contributions are suggested to the church. Arrangements by Volzke Funeral Home.
