Ruth M. Harris

Aug. 4, 1909-Sept. 12, 2004

CURTIS -- Ruth M. (Welch) Harris, 95, died Sunday (Sept. 12, 2004) at Sunset Haven Nursing Home in Curtis.

She was born Aug. 4, 1909, to John E. and Anges (Gerlits) Welch south of Moorefield. She graduated from Moorefield High School in 1928 and went on to attend the Nebraska Wesleyan University for a year.

On Jan. 11, 1940, she married Melvin Lewis Harris in North Platte. She taught public country school in Lincoln, Frontier and Red Willow Counties. Later she taught four years in various cities including North Platte. She spent two years during World War II working at the Army Air Base in McCook. She also worked at the POW Camp in Indianola. After the war, the couple moved to McCook and later North Platte, where she taught at the buffalo school. They later moved to Colby, Kan., and they lived there for over 15 years. They then moved to Curtis. He husband preceded her in death in 1985.

She received the AkSarBen Good Neighbor Award in 1986 for her work in registering county cemeteries. She was the author of many community history books.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Melvin; and two brothers, John Homer and Marion Elden.

Survivors include nieces and nephews, John E. Welch of McLeon, Va., Richard D. Welch of Millbrae, Calif., Pamela Andrews of Orangevale, Calif., and Anita Welch of Lincoln; and great-nieces and nephews, Ondrea and Alyssa Goranson of Lincoln, Nathaniel Welch of Millbrae, Richard J. Welch Jr., of Redwood City, Calif., and Jereme Andrews of Belmont, Calif.

Services are Friday, 10 a.m., at the Berean Bible Church in Curtis with the Rev. Richard Top officiating. Interment will be in the Moorefield Cemetery.

Visitation is Wednesday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and Thursday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m., at Blase-Wetzel Funeral Home in Curtis.

A memorial has been established.

Blase-Wetzel Funeral Home of Curtis is in charge of the arrangements.