Caroline Wood

Ruth Caroline Wood

April 22, 1910 - Dec. 25, 2013

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Ruth Caroline Wood, age 103, formerly of Maywood, Nebraska, passed away Dec. 25, 2013, at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook.

Caroline was born April 22, 1910, on the family farm west of Maywood to parents Wenzel and Gertrude (Burson) Patzelt. She attended Bluff View School, where she excelled in drama and acting, putting on plays in other area country schools. Caroline graduated in 1927.

On June 2, 1943, Caroline married Leonard Wood, Sr. in Maywood. To this union one son was born, Leonard, Jr. Leonard, Sr. passed away one year after their wedding.

Following his passing, Caroline married Emerson Wood in Phillipsburg, Kansas, on Nov. 17, 1945. Two daughters were born to this union, Carla and Karen.

Caroline spent the first 90 years of her life living within seven miles of the family homestead. She devoted her life to caring for her family, and helping her parents and husbands with farming and livestock. She enjoyed her vegetable and flower gardens, as well as her chickens and many other animals on the farm. She was a member of the Evergreen Union Church and the Harmony Women's Club, where she spent countless hours quilting with the other women. Caroline also volunteered at the Sunset Haven Nursing Home in Curtis.

Caroline was preceded in death by her parents; both husbands; brother, Lewis Patzelt; step-brother, Wenzel Patzelt; step-sisters, Marie Davis, Ella Patzelt and Edith Patzelt.

Survivors include her son, Leonard (Michelle) Wood of Maywood; daughters, Carla (Jeff) Hill of Mount View, Arkansas and Karen (Roger) Erickson of Urbandale, Iowa; sister-in-law, Leora Wood of North Platte, Nebraska; as well as 10 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be Friday, Jan. 3, 2014, from 1 to 8 p.m. at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home in McCook.

Funeral services are 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home with Pastor Dale Heimer officiating. Burial to follow in the Curtis Cemetery.

Memorials may be given in her name.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home of McCook is in charge of the arrangements. Please visit our website at www.carpenterbreland.com to sign the online guestbook for the Wood family.