Ruth Janet Hodge

Ruth Janet Waterman Hodge was born to Homer and Mabel Waterman in Holdrege, NE, on May 26, 1921. She was the second of four children. The family moved to Omaha by 1925 where they grew an extensive food garden. Ruth's dominant characteristic was her joy of giving. She learned this from her family's generosity to neighbors during the Great Depression. Her parents did their best to never turn anyone away hungry.

Ruth graduated from North High school in Omaha, NE. She had a protective older brother, Howard, a younger sister, Leah, and a sister eleven years younger, Alma Jean. Ruth dotted on Alma Jean throughout their lives and they formed an immense bond. The family was active in their church, where Ruth met her future husband, Roy, and was married January 19, 1941. Shortly after their wedding, Roy became extremely ill with a heart condition. Ruth nursed him back to health with a deep devotion that saved his life. Later they raised two children, Suzanne and Gordon.

Family was everything to Ruth and relocated several times for her husband's work, making life-long friends in each city. She loved cats, enjoyed listening to Royals baseball, bridge, bowling, candy making, lunches and shopping with friends. She was always ready for an adventure, even by choosing a different route home from the store. Her perseverance during the last few years of being wheel-chair bound was inspiring and always cheerful. She chose to make each day worthwhile.

Please share your special memory of Ruth and/ or sign the online tribute by selecting the tribute link at the bottom of this page.