Darla Jean Ruppert age 60 passed away at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha on Friday, May 22, 2020. She was born on November 7, 1959 at McCook, NE to Edward Howard and Ardis (Nutt) Gilliland. Darla attended school in Curtis and graduated from Medicine Valley High School in 1978. Darla attended Chadron State College for one semester and McCook Community College for one semester.
On November 24, 1979 she was united in marriage to David Ruppert. The family made their home north of McCook. Darla was an integral part of the farming operation working shoulder to shoulder with David. She ran the combine, trucks, tractors abd worked cattle, and raised horses. Darla loved her horses and taught many in her 30 years as a 4-H leader for the Bit and Spur 4-H club. Darla broke horse and showed her quarter horses throughout the state. She worked for 30 years at the North Sale Barn in McCook as a penner, sorter, and caller. Darla loved being outside enjoying her garden and and checking on the cattle.
She was preceded in death by her parents: Edward Howard and Ardis Gilliland and brother-in-law: Daryl Ruppert
Darla is survived by her husband David of McCook; son: Dylan and wife Jessie of Curtis, NE; 1 grandson Sterling; siblings: Ronald Gilliland of Curtis; Connie and husband Andy Bowman of Kearney; Rodney and wife Darlene Gilliland of Smithfield, NE; Charlene and husband Lee Malm of Albin, WY
Visitation will be held at the Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook, NE on May 21, 2020 from 10:00 AM till 7:00 PM with the family present to greet friends from 5:00 PM till 7:00 PM. Graveside services will be held at the Garden Prairie Cemetery of McCook on May 22, 2020 at2:00 PM, Pastor Greg Boller officiating. Friends may leave on-line condolences at herrmannfh.com. In lieu of flowers memorials may be left in Darla’s name for a 4-H Scholarship to be established. Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel in charge of arrangements.