Katherine Lillian (Ruf) Atteberry

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

July 16, 1912 - Jan. 12, 2015

CAMBRIDGE, Neb. -- Katherine Lillian (Ruf) Atteberry, age 102, of Cambridge, Nebraska, passed away on Monday, Jan. 12, 2015, at the Cambridge Manor in Cambridge, Nebraska.

She was born on July 16, 1912, in Red Willow County between Wilsonville and Cambridge, Nebraska to Henry and Mary (Amen) Ruf.

Katherine attended a country school for a short time and later was just self-educated. She was very instrumental at an early age in caring for her brothers and sisters. She also performed various farm obligations for her family.

Sunday school was attended at Tyrone where she served as the superintendent for many years. With the closing of that church, she attended in Wilsonville, Nebraska. On Palm Sunday in the year of 1928, Katherine was confirmed in the Westside Congregational Church in McCook, Nebraska.

Katherine Ruf and Glenn Atteberry were married on April 19, 1941. They made their home on a farm south of Hendley, Nebraska, working with each other until 1980. After the farm was sold, they moved to Arapahoe, Nebraska.

She and her husband became members of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Arapahoe, Nebraska. Katherine became a member of the bell choir at the church. Katherine volunteered countless hours at the area care homes, assisting with activities and resident wishes. She was also a member of the H.G.L. Club for many years, as well as the Christian Women's Club in McCook, Nebraska. She served as a very faithful volunteer for the Red Cross Blood Mobile. At the age of 93, she was the oldest Nebraskan to donate blood.

Katherine was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Glenn (Pete); brothers, Henry, John and Manuel; and sisters, Leah, Esther, Lydia, and Margaret.

Surviving Katherine are sisters, Ruby of East Moline, Illinois, Annie of Arlington, Texas, and Ramona of North Platte, Nebraska, as well as sister-in-law, Margalee Ruf of Wilsonville, Nebraska; numerous nieces, nephews, Babcock families and many friends and acquaintances. She and her special friend, Marjorie tenBensel, traveled many miles and many times to visit family and friends.

Katherine loved to crochet and took great pride in making tablecloths, needlework, wall hangings, doilies, quilts, and crafts. Her thriftiness and ingenuity filled many canning jars and her green thumb was evidenced in her varieties of houseplants. Katherine was a dedicated care giver and respected by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.

Condolences or personal reflections can be left at wenburgfuneralhome.com

Viewing and visitation will be Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Wenburg Funeral Home and prior to the service at the church.

Funeral services will be on Friday, Jan. 16, 2015, at 3:30 p.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church, in Arapahoe, Nebraska, with Rev. James Moshier officiating. Interment will be at Arapahoe Cemetery at Arapahoe, Nebraska.

Memorials are suggested to the Trinity Lutheran Church of Arapahoe, Nebraska.

Wenburg Funeral Home of Arapahoe, Nebraska is in charge of the arrangements.