Ruth Elaine McGhghy

Ruth was born to Henry and Bertha Helms in the family’s farmhouse on May 14, 1928, at Arapahoe, NE. Ruth was the ninth of the ten children who lived to adulthood. She was baptized June 10, 1928, and confirmed on March 29, 1942, at Immanuel Lutheran Church where she also enjoyed participating in Walther League. She attended first through eighth grade at Immanuel Lutheran School.

At the age of 18, Ruth was given five dollars and a bus ticket to North Platte, NE. There she joined several of her older sisters in a sleeping room and got a job at Woolworth’s cosmetic counter. Ruth took pride in keeping the cosmetic counter clean and organized. She nervously accepted a promotion to a bookkeeping position after assurances from management that she could return to the cosmetic counter should it not work out. She never returned to cosmetics.

Ruth met her husband, Hugh McGhghy, at church where he was choir director. Hugh often said that Ruth was the best alto in the choir. They were married May 30, 1951, in North Platte before relocating to Seward, NE where they welcomed their son, Paul, in 1952. Their daughter, Elizabeth, arrived in 1957 while the family lived in Flint, MI before moving to Port Hope, MI then Warren, MI. Hugh taught Lutheran elementary school and Ruth was a working mother who helped support the family with jobs in the banking and bookkeeping field while volunteering with the elderly with Project Compassion through church.

In 1976, they relocated to St. Louis, MO while Hugh studied at Concordia Seminary to become a pastor. Together they served Lutheran congregations in Montana and Illinois. Ruth continued working, with her favorite job being an office assistant at the American Heart Association in Edinburgh, IL.

Ruth and Hugh retired to Warsaw, MO in 1992 where she had more time to crochet, sew, can, bake, and participate in fish fry fundraisers. Ruth enjoyed cooking for others and their Warsaw home was a gathering place for many family, friends, and neighbors. In the cold Christmas season, Ruth donned her long underwear to be a bell ringer for the Salvation Army.

After building a marriage rooted in faith, family, and service, Hugh passed away in 2006 shortly before their 55th anniversary. Ruth cared deeply for her husband during their last years together and provided him with loving physical and emotional support. Ruth moved to Greeley in 2007 to be closer to family members.

She attended Trinity Lutheran Church and loved her independent apartment at Bonell Good Samaritan where she enjoyed participating in activities and bus trips before moving in with Elizabeth and her husband in 2021 for two years. Ruth spent her final three years at Life Care Center of Greeley and enjoyed visits from many of her nieces, nephews, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Bertha Helms; her husband, Hugh McGhghy; and her ten siblings.

She is lovingly survived by her son, Paul McGhghy and his wife Anne; her daughter Elizabeth Jackson and her husband Paul; her grandchildren, Christopher Jackson (Mary), Jeremy Jackson, Karen McGhghy, Kristen Krumm (David), Catherine Steffen (Michael), Johanna Jackson-Whitman (Ben), and Caleb Jackson (Eva); and her cherished great-grandchildren, Thomas, Elise, and Violet Jackson, David and Hazel Steffen, John and Victor Krumm, Ezra and the precious Baby Jackson about to be born.

Ruth will be remembered for her unwavering faith, gentle spirit, servant’s heart, sense of humor, sharp mind, strong memory, and the deep love she had for her family. Ruth found joy in life’s simple blessings, such as tending her garden, watching birds and other wildlife in her yard, volunteering in her church and community, and spending time with those she loved. Her legacy of faith, kindness, generosity, and love will continue to live on through the many lives she touched.

Ruth’s memorial service is August 15, 2026 at 11:00AM at Trinity Lutheran Church, 3000 35th Ave in Greeley, CO. Memorial contributions may be made in Ruth’s memory to Trinity Lutheran Church in Greeley, CO or the American Heart Association.