Ruth Gessner

Someday you will find this as the papers will read: Ruth Gessner of Mills, NE, has died. Don't you believe that-not one word-at that moment I shall be more alive than I ever was. I shall have gone up higher, that's all; out of this old clay tenement into a house that is immortal, a body that death cannot touch, that sin cannot taint, a body fashioned like unto His glorious body.

Ruth Earlene (Sylvester) Gessner was born on July 12, 1933 to Earl and Bertha (Hollenbeck) Sylvester in Springview, NE. Ruth joined big brother William Hugh. The family moved to Mills when she was two years old, living in the lower part of the hotel and later moved to a house north of the hotel. When Ruth was five her parents moved into a two room house which later had many additions and eventually became what is now Mills Community Hall (Sylvester Hall). Ruth attended grade school at District 3 and graduated from Keya Paha County High School in 1951. She then attended Norfolk Business College for a few months before returning home to help at the Mills store with groceries, gas, creamery and Post Office.

Ruth married Frank Orris Gessner of Bassett, Nebraska on June 30, 1952 in Pierre, SD when he was home on leave from the Marines. Ruth and Frank moved to California for a time before he spent his year in Korea. Their daughter Mary was born in May of 1953. The family moved around to where ever Frank's masonry work took them. They finally settled in Mills as Mary started school. Ruth again worked at the store and filled in for her mother as Post Master relief while working on an electronics correspondence course. She worked at Lloyd's Radio and TV in Gregory some through the years even working on some TV's in the Mills area. She also served on the Mills Cemetery Board for 23 years and was known as the "cactus getter".

Ruth naturally was her mother's replacement as Post Master for Mills when Bertha retired. She ran the store and Post Office for 23 years and retired on June 30, 2003. The store and post office were closed at that time and missed by all in the community. Ruth said that she knew her life was not her own it was the communities. Many changes came while she was in charge of the store and she took them in stride. If you spent any time at the store, you were probably invited to church and witnessed the love that she had for the God that she depended on.

Ruth was always there to help a neighbor clean, paint, or maybe with a haircut or perm. Ruth accepted Jesus as her Savior at Camp Witness in 1947 where she was later baptized in Pine Creek. Ruth rededicated her life to Jesus as her Lord and Savior in 1955 under the ministry of Beulah (Minnig) McKenney. She served on the board of Child Evangelism Fellowship Cherry County Chapter and Mills Missionary Circle, but her love was making sure that the children of the area would know about Jesus. She helped by teaching Vacation Bible School at Mills Community Church and Good News Clubs.

Ruth loved children and her family. Her biggest and most fervent prayer was that her family down to the last great-great grandchild would all come to a saving, serving relationship with Jesus.

Ruth passed into the loving arms of her Savior on November 27, 2025 at the Avera Rosebud Country Care Center in Gregory at the age of 92.

She is preceded in death by a baby sister, her parents, husband Frank, her daughter Mary Louise, grandson Gregory, and sister-in-law Mildred Sylvester.

She is survived by her brothers William Sylvester of Oklahoma City, OK, and Eldon (Eileen) Sylvester of Ainsworth, NE; two grandchildren: Richard (Tina) Hoffman of Burke, SD and Angela Hoffman of Mills, NE; her great grandchildren Derek (Kaylee) Larson, Blake (Nakyya) Hoffmann, Kayley Hoffmann, Valerie Hoffmann, Tristan Gessner, Keith (Danika) and Ashley (Adam); her great-great grandchildren: Lillian, Ryland, Jasper, Graham, Pace, Forest, Teigan, Aria, and Axton; and many other nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services for Ruth Gessner, age 92, of Mills, NE, were held on Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at 10:30 am at the Mills Community Church in Mills, NE with Pastor Kenley Udd officiating. A prayer service was held on Tuesday evening at 7 pm at the church.

Music was provided by Steve Swanson, pianist.

Congregational hymns were "Amazing Grace" and "Oh To Be Like Him."

Recorded music was "Lead Me Home" by Jamey Johnson.

Mary Swanson and Crystal Cook were in charge of registration.

Flower attendants were Julie Udd and Sierra Udd.

Casket Bearers were John Beck, Ben Wenger, Jeff Cook, Brandon Udd, Drayton Cronk, and Brent Rowan.

Honorary Casket Bearers were Ruth's friends and family.

Interment was in the Olive Branch Cemetery, Mills, NE.

Lunch was served by the Mills Ladies at Mills Community Hall.