Ruth Elaine Siems

1942 - 2024

Ruth Elaine Siems

June 20, 1942 - April 17, 2024

Ruth Elaine Siems, a woman of immeasurable dedication, reliability, compassionate love, and courageous spirit, passed into eternal life on April 17, 2024, at the age of 81. She was born in Beatrice, NE, on June 20, 1942. Ruth married Roger Siems on September 22, 1961 in Wymore, NE, and they moved to Beatrice in 1979. Ruth made her hometown a place of lifelong service and commitment. She was a pillar of the community, serving as the Gage County Register of Deeds from 1991 until her retirement in 2015. Remembering the words of George Eliot, "What do we live for, if not to make life less difficult for each other?" Ruth was a living embodiment of this philosophy.

Respected for her steadfast sense of duty, Ruth was a devoted public servant and a cornerstone of the Gage County Government. A loving wife, mother, aunt, and sister in law, and friend, Ruth was known for her unwavering love and care for her family. Ruth's courage was evident not only in her professional life but also in her personal life. She was a proud graduate of Odell High School, class of 1959, and a committed member of the Holy Cross Lutheran Church, where she joyfully sang in the choir. She was an active member of 4H and an ardent supporter of the Vavra Racing team, Ruth's interests were as diverse as her talents, including enjoying racing in general.

Ruth is survived by her daughter, Bridget Siems-Thornburg and husband Greg of Beatrice, brother Roger (Loreene) Stein of Odell, sisters-in-law Joyce Lienemann of Eden Prairie, MN, Linda Siems of Beatrice and Linda Siems of Raymore, MO, brother-in-law Bob (Nancy) Siems of Cambridge, MN, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roger Siems (2020), parents William and Helena Stein, sister Loretta (Richard) McKibben, and in-laws Willis and Beatrice Siems, William Siems, Wayne Siems, and Will Lienemann.

Public visitation will be held on Monday, April 22, 2024, from 11:00 am until 8:00 pm at the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel, followed by a time for family to greet friends from 5:00-6:30 pm. A family prayer service will take place at the Holy Cross Lutheran Church on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at 1:45 pm, followed by a celebration of Ruth's life at 2:00 pm. The live stream of the celebration of Ruth's life can be viewed at www.ghchapel.com. Burial will be at the Evergreen Home Cemetery in Beatrtice. A reception will be held at the Beatrice American Legion at about 3:15 pm. A memorial has been established to Holy Cross Lutheran Church with the funeral home in charge.

In honor of Ruth's memory, we invite you to share your memories and upload photos, watch her video tribute and livestream on her memorial page at www.ghchapel.com. In the words of Maya Angelou, "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Let us come together to remember how Ruth made us feel, and in doing so, keep her spirit alive in our hearts forever.

These services have been entrusted to the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice.