Ruth Lorraine Hayward

Ruth Lorraine Hayward

Jan. 6, 1914 - Feb. 1, 2013

KEARNEY, Nebraska -- Ruth Lorraine Hayward, age 99, formerly of Trenton, Nebraska, passed away at Cambridge Court in Kearney, Nebraska, on Feb. 1, 2013.

She was born in Hitchcock County near Stratton on Jan. 6, 1914, to Roy and Effie (Gagle) Spencer. She graduated from Stratton High School and received her Normal Training in 1932 to teach school. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Kearney State Teacher's College in 1964.

Ruth taught school in Hayes County, District 12 during WWII, and later Hitchcock County, including 25 years in Trenton. Ruth taught elementary school grades for over 41 years, retiring in 1980.

She was united in marriage to Lawrence Hayward on Dec. 24, 1936. He preceded her in death on May 5, 1980. The couple resided in Palisade, later moving to a farm south of Palisade. They moved into Trenton in 1954.

Ruth was an 85-year member of the United Methodist Church, UMW, Chi Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority, Business and Professional Women's Club and McCook Retired Teachers Association. She enjoyed ceramic painting, crocheting and reading. Ruth enjoyed traveling to many places throughout her life. Her lifelong love was teaching and caring for her family.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lawrence; daughters, Barbara Plank and Glenda Berger; grandson, Robert Plank; great-grandson, Daiten Horn; great-granddaughter, Amanda Plank; three sisters, Helen Ekstrum, Esther Doyle and Favola Spencer and two brothers, Jim and Russel Spencer.

She is survived by six grandchildren, Kim Clark of Kearney, Bobbi and husband, Scott Ehmke of Kearney, Scot Berger and wife, Renee of Azle, Texas ; Max and wife, Jane Plank of Hollister, California, Dan and wife, Susan Plank of Fremont, Nebraska, Adam Plank of Fremont; 10 great grandchildren; two great great-grandchildren; sister, Margaret Scott and husband, Everett of Anaheim, California; son-in-law, Bill Berger of Kearney, Nebraska; brother-in-law, Dan Doyle of Wichita, Kansas; and sister-in-law, Phyllis Spencer of Kearney, Nebraska.

Funeral services will be at the Trenton United Methodist Church on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013, at 11 a.m. with Pastor John Lewis officiating. Interment will be 2 p.m. at the Palisade Cemetery in Palisade, Nebraska.

Visitation will be at the Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel in Trenton on Monday, from 2 until 9 p.m. and on Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Memorials may be left in Ruth's name, to either the Asera Care Hospice or in her name at the Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel.

Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.