Ruby G. Sommers

Ruby G. Sommers

November 23, 1923 – August 17, 2020

 Ruby was born on November 23, 1923 to Katherine and Bulus Reeves in Des Moines, Iowa.  Bulus began working for the Burlington Railroad and resettled in Edgemont, South Dakota and later, Hyannis, Nebraska.  Ruby graduated from Hyannis High School in 1941 with a “Normal Teaching Certification.”  Following high school Ruby taught in a rural school in Cherry County, near Valentine, Nebraska.  Mrs. Sommers was teaching in December 1941 when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.  During her summers Ruby attended Grand Island School of Business, graduating in 1943.

Ruby and Russell Sommers were married January 14, 1943 while Russell was stationed in Carthage, Missouri.  Russell served in the Signal Corps and the 200^th General Hospital in England, France, Luxembourg, and Belgium during his four years of service in World War II.  Ruby lived with her parents in Hyannis, Nebraska, with her son, Wally, until Russell returned from his service in September of 1945.

After World War II Russell resumed teaching and coaching and became the school superintendent in Hyannis, Nebraska.  Ruby was president and secretary of the American Legion Auxiliary in Hyannis.  She also worked in the Grant County Courthouse in the County Clerk and County Judge’s Offices.  Ruby was an Assistant Assessor and also a substitute teacher.

In 1962 the Sommers’ moved to Wallace, Nebraska where Russell was the school superintendent and girl’s volleyball coach and Ruby was the school secretary.  As always, Russell and Ruby formed an efficient and personable team.  Russell worked on his Master’s Degree in School Administration at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Russell and Ruby moved to Lincoln in 1974 where Russell worked for the State Commission on Aging and Ruby worked for the Department of Roads in Word Processing.  The Sommers’ were always active in their Christian Churches.  They helped start Bible Baptist Church and School which currently is Parkview Christian Church and School.  Russell was instrumental in Parkview gaining its Nebraska State Certification.

Russell had a stroke in 1986, leaving him paralyzed on his left side.  Ruby and Russell moved to Omaha to be closer to children and grandchildren.  Ruby cared tirelessly for Russell until his death in 2000.  She was also an incredible grandmother and truly enjoyed thinking of creative and exciting ways to interact with her grandchildren.  She read to them, did math classes, sewed with and for them, made gingerbread cookies and took them wherever they needed to be.

The Sommers’ were actively involved at Hillcrest Baptist Church.  Ruby was a faithful and active member of the Eccelisia Sunday School Class at Christ Community Church after Russell’s death.

Ruby Reeves Sommers died August 17, 2020 at St. Joseph Villa, Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 96.  Ruby was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Russell; daughter, Marilyn Goedert, sisters, Betty Gibson and Lois Clark; brothers, Ray and Arthur Reeves.  Ruby is survived by her sisters, Iola Richardson and Evelyn (Charles); her son, Wally (Janey) of Omaha, Nebraska; her grandchildren: Andrew (Danielle) Neal, Andrea Neal, and Stephanie Sommers; great-grandchildren: Titus, Shepherd and Judah Neal; many precious nieces and nephews.

Ruby was beloved by her friends, children and grandchildren and has left an amazing legacy of love and faith.

SERVICES: Friday, August 28^th at 11am at the West Center Chapel.  INTERMENT: Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery.  Memorials are suggested to Christ Community Church.  To view a live broadcast of the Service, please go to www.heafeyheafey.com and click on the “View Live Service” button on our homepage.