Ruth Sullivan

Ruth Eleanor Sullivan, age 95 of Broken Bow, passed away on Tuesday, August 22nd, 2023, at Brookstone View in Broken Bow, NE surrounded by her family.

Ruth was born February 5, 1928, at the family ranch a half mile west of Elsmere, NE to Charles M. and Astrid E. (Stav) Giles.  She was delivered by a midwife, Mrs. Paul Huffman.  

At an early age, Ruth loved riding her pony to school and helping each day to bring in the milk cows.  She also helped her mother with the cooking, baking, and especially the ironing.  There were usually ten to eleven people to cook for each meal.

Ruth went to school at Central Elsmere, graduating from the eighth grade.  She then attended high school at Ainsworth, NE graduating with the class of 1945.

Ruth loved going to many barn dances with her brothers, there she met her future husband John L. Sullivan.  They were later married on May 21, 1945, and were married for 66 years.  To this marriage three daughters were born, Carolyn Elaine, Sonja Kay, and Joan Leigh.  

Ruth’s working career included 17 years at the Corner Style shop in Broken Bow, NE.  She loved working with her friends and all the fun they had with the latest fashions.

She was a long-time member of the United Methodist Church, the Women’s Eve Group, Rebekah Lodge, and PEO.

Ruth was a wonderful cook, and the evening meal was always served at 6 o’clock sharp.  When the six o’clock whistle in town blew, her daughters knew it was time to pedal their bikes home as fast as they could.

Her homemade pies were the best and if you received a rum cake at Christmas time, it was always considered a very special gift.

Ruth is preceded in death by her husband John, parents Charley and Astrid Giles, brothers and sisters-in-law George and Mary Lou Giles, Charles and Ina Jean Giles, Joe and Bonnie Giles, sister and brother-in-law Bonnie and Keith Keys, nephew Mike Giles, niece Karen Giles Nance, and son-in-law Gary Kerchal.

Survivors include daughters Carolyn Kerchal of Broken Bow, Sonja (Steve) Govier of Pleasanton, Joan (Al) Dillenback of Grand Island, seven grandchildren John Burnett, Kris (Jim) Lech, Mike Worth, Patrick (Carmen) Govier, Lisa (Russ) Swain, Sean Dillenback, and Krista Dillenback; three great grandchildren Kassidy (Craig) Wachter, Sam (Karissa) Lech, and Caleb Govier, two great great grandchildren Braxton Wachter and Josie Wachter; nieces and nephews and other family members and friends.

Funeral Services will be Sunday, August 27, 2023, at 2:00 pm at the United Methodist Church in Broken Bow with Pastor Phil Sloat officiating. Burial will follow in the Broken Bow Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the United Methodist Women’s Eve Group in Broken Bow, NE. A visitation will take place on Saturday, August 26th from 1:00 to 6:00 pm at Govier Brothers Mortuary. Govier Brothers Mortuary are in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.govierbrothers.com.