Margaret Lucille (Ruf) Goodenberger Hunter

Monday, July 21, 2014

Aug. 6, 1934 - July 18, 2014

McCOOK, Neb. -- Margaret Lucille (Ruf) Goodenberger Hunter of McCook passed away Friday, July 18, 2014, at Hillcrest Nursing Home. She was 79 years old.

Margaret was born on Aug. 6, 1934, to Henry and Anna Marie "Mary" (Amen) Ruf, Sr. at the family farm near Wilsonville, the youngest of 11 children. She attended grade school at Tyrone County School. She graduated from the Lebanon High School in 1953. After high school, Margaret moved to McCook where she was employed by Prest Drug Store.

On Nov. 20, 1955, she was united in marriage to Gilbert Goodenberger. They moved to a farm near Stratton and later to a farm southwest of McCook. Four children were born to this union. Gilbert preceded her in death on May 14, 1977.

Margaret worked for TRW from 1975 to 1984. She was united in marriage to Floyd Hunter on Jan. 19, 1985. They moved to Garden City, Kansas, where she was employed at Alco Discount Store until 1989. At that time, they moved to Fort Collins, Colorado, and she was employed with Sears until 1992. They moved back to the McCook community to be closer to family and friends. Margaret returned to Alco Discount Store for eight years until she retired. Floyd preceded her in death on March 28, 2008.

She was a member of the First Congregational Church and Women's Fellowship. She was also a member of the Community Hospital Auxiliary where she volunteered as a Pink Lady. She loved to grow African Violets, cross-stitch, embroidery work, and read. She also liked to take walks during the summer months.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Henry and Mary Ruf, Sr.; her husbands, Gilbert Goodenberger and Floyd Hunter; son, Joe Goodenberger, Sr.; sisters, Leah Lomax, Esther Meader and Lydia Ruf; brothers, Henry Ruf, Jr., John Ruf and Manual Ruf.

Survivors include her children, Steve Goodenberger and wife, Shauna, of McCook, Rita Davis of Fort Collins, Colorado and Gail and husband, Bryon Best, of McCook; daughter-in-law, Shari Goodenberger of McCook; step-children, Michael Hunter and wife, Pat, of Baltimore, Maryland, Steven Hunter and wife, Marilyn, of McCook and Trish and husband, Cliff Clapp, of McCook; sisters, Ramona Fisher of North Platte, Anna Baughman of Arlington, Texas, Ruby Slavens of Moline, Illinois, Katherine Atteberry of Cambridge; sisters-in-law, Margalee Ruf of Wilsonville and Phyllis and husband, Donald Davis of Ogallala, Nebraska; brothers-in-law, John Goodenberger and wife, Phyllis, of McCook and Phillip Goodenberger and wife, Marilyn, of Stratton; 15 grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, family and a host of friends.

Memorials may be given in her name to the First Congregational Youth Group.

Visitation was Sunday at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home.

Funeral services were today, July 21, 2014, 10:30 a.m. at First Congregational Church with Pastor Steve Bales officiating. Burial was in Memorial Park Cemetery in McCook.

Friends may go online at www.carpenterbreland.com to extend condolences to the family. Carpenter Breland Funeral Home of McCook is in charge of the arrangements.