Ruth Alice Ten Eyck

Ruth Alice Ten Eyck, the daughter of Paul and Sena (Sorensen) Thogersen, was born near Kirkman, Iowa, on September 23, 1916. She attended Laurel School in Harlan, Iowa, and graduated from Harlan High School in 1935. On April 25, 1937, Ruth married William Ronald Ten Eyck in Mexico, Missouri. For five years after their marriage, the couple farmed in Missouri. In 1942, they moved to the Harlan area, where they farmed until 1953. They then moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, and in 1956, to Elm Creek, Nebraska. Following a move to Boulder, Colorado, in 1962, Ruth worked as a bookkeeper in the Ladies Department of Kmart. William died on March 29, 1976, in Boulder. Ruth retired to Harlan in 1980, where she lived until 2003, when she moved to Kearney, Nebraska, to be near her son.

Ruth was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan. She enjoyed sewing, and made ski clothing while living in Colorado.

Ruth A. Ten Eyck died on Saturday, December 4, 2004, at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Nebraska, at the age of 88 years, 2 months, and 11 days.

Preceding Ruth in death were her parents and her husband, William R. Ten Eyck. Survivors include one son, Ronald (Patsy) Ten Eyck of Elm Creek, Nebraska; one brother, Kenneth (Lorene) Thogersen of Chicago, Illinois; four granddaughters, Debbie (Dennis) Svoboda and Tammie Ten Eyck, both of Drummond, Montana; Terrie Ten Eyck of Sheridan, Wyoming, and DeAnn Ten Eyck of Cairo, Nebraska; eight great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, December 9, 2004, at the Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Harlan, Iowa, with Pastor Mark Jamison officiating. Marge Ahrenholtz served as the organist. Casket bearers were Dennis Svoboda, Josh Beins, and Ethan Wilson. Burial was in the Harlan Cemetery in Harlan, Iowa. The Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Harlan was in charge of the arrangements.