Ruth Irene McCormick, of McCook, Nebraska, passed away on March 11, 2024 in Lincoln, Nebraska surrounded by her family. She was born in Washington, Iowa to Walter and Dorothy (Leet) Miller on July 27, 1939. Her family moved to New Mexico her senior year of high school, and the next year she began attending the University of New Mexico. It was while she was there that Ruth met Dan McCormick, who was stationed at the air force base in Albuquerque, NM. They married on June 12, 1959 and lived there for one year before moving to a farm near McCook where they spent the next 63 years together.
Ruth was a longtime member of McCook Evangelical Free Church. She was active in children's and women's ministries at church and at Camp Elim in Colorado where she volunteered in the kitchen and as a counselor for many years. Ruth was known for her hospitality and kindness by many, which she displayed at the annual corn picnics at their farm. She loved to take her family on adventures such as going on camping trips, trying new foods, exploring museums and historical sites, and learning about other cultures. In her retirement years, she loved to travel with Dan throughout the U.S. and Canada in their camper, often accompanied by their dog. She always loved to share pictures and funny anecdotes of their many travels. Along with being an accomplished painter, gardener, reader, photographer, and seamstress, she was a loving mother and grandmother to five children, eleven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Dorothy Miller, and an infant brother. She is survived by her husband, Dan McCormick of McCook, and her children: daughter, Alice and Don Ridlen of Parker, CO, daughter, Amy and Jon Anderson of Grand Forks, ND, daughter, Anna and Lonnie Egle of Bentonville, AR, son, Bill and Natalie McCormick of Eagle, NE, and daughter, Andrea McCormick of McCook. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Reggie, Jaylynn, and Christopher Ridlen, Laura and Carl Anderson, Rachel (Egle) and Christian Burge, Rebekah (Egle) and Derek Elliott, Benjamin and Lidia Egle, Rose Egle, Caleb and Jared McCormick; and great-grandchildren, Cody and Charlotte Burge and Elizabeth Elliott. She is also survived by her siblings: sister, Esther and Gilbert Duarte, sister, Marti and Jim Jordan, and brother, Tom and Lori Miller; and many nieces and nephews.
Ruth’s family will greet friends for a time of visitation at 10:00 am on Saturday, March 30, 2024 at the McCook Evangelical Free Church. A memorial service will follow are 11:00 am with Pastor Jeff Donelan officiating. Burial in the Palisade Cemetery is scheduled at 2:00 pm.
In her memory, the family suggests any donations can be sent to Camp Elim (campelim.com) in lieu of flowers. Online condolences may be left at herrmannfh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook.