Ruth Allender

A celebration of the life of Ruth Allender was held with an open house hosted by her daughters on Sunday, October 21, 2007 from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at their home at 134 West 5th Ave. in Holdrege, Nebraska.

Ruth Allender, 79 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Thursday, October 18, 2007 at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Nebraska. Ruth (Morris) Allender was born in Putnam County, Missouri on July 18, 1928, to Ira and Velma (Stull) Morris. The family bought a farm in Van Buren County, Iowa near Douds, where she was raised.

Ruth graduated from Douds High School in 1945 and immediately went to work at 16 years of age for the FBI in Washington, D.C. during WWII, and celebrated VJ Day there and watched Harry and Bess Truman on the balcony of the White House. After 2 ½ years, she moved back to Ottumwa, Iowa, met and married Melvin E. Allender on January 15, 1949 and to this union three daughters were born. Ruth worked in public schools in Iowa as a secretary and media center director.

Melvin passed away November 26, 1988 and Ruth moved to Holdrege, Nebraska to be with her daughter, Karen in 1993.

Ruth was active in the Legion Auxiliary in Iowa as past president, a member of the Belmond United Methodist Church and the Belmond Arts Council. She taught and played Bridge and played a mean game of Rummy.

Ruth is survived by her three daughters: Susan Anders and her husband, Lloyd of Mesa, Arizona, Karen Allender of Holdrege and Sandra Seitz and her husband, Dale of Golden, Colorado; three grandchildren: David, Amanda and Scott and six great-grandchildren.

There was no public visitation, the family honored Ruth's wish for cremation.

A memorial has been established in her memory.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege was in charge of the arrangements.