Marcella “Ruth” Lauer, 82, of North Platte, passed away September 26, 2021 at Centennial Park Retirement Village. She was born February 9, 1939, in St. Louis, Missouri to Virgil and Millie (Kuffel) Schuetz.
Ruth grew up in St. Louis, Missouri and graduated from University of Missouri, Columbia, with her Bachelor’s degree in 1961 and then went on to earn her Master’s degree in 1970. In 1962, she moved to North Platte, Nebraska to begin her teaching career with the North Platte Public Schools. On June 8, 1970 she was married to Harvey Lauer, in Jacksonville, Illinois. To this union, a daughter, Kelly was born. Ruth retired in 2001 after 33 years of educating students in music. Music was her number one hobby. Her specialty was playing the flute. She was a member of the Sandhills Symphony and directed the choir at the Episcopal Church. Her ambitions were saturated with music. Ruth was passionate about teaching. She grew up around horses and always enjoyed horseback riding. Ruth loved her grandchildren immensely, teaching them everything about music and was very adventurous in showing them all around her acreage. She loved her God fiercely, always very religious, enjoyed anything creative, very innovative and was good at drawing. She really lived life her own way and on her own terms.
Ruth is survived by her daughter, Kelly Milan, Bennington, Nebraska; grandchildren, Brendan Milan, Anchorage, Alaska, Kira Milan, Bastrop, Texas, MacKenna Milan, Erynn Milan, and Emma Milan, all of Bennington, Nebraska; sister, Joyce Morris, St. Louis, Missouri and Diana Whitlow, Hot Springs, Arkansas; other family, Leo F. Millan III, Bennington, Nebraska; along with many other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Virgil and Millie Schultz.
Memorial services for Ruth will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 6, 2021, at the Episcopal Church, in North Platte, with Rev. Steve Meysing, officiating. Inurnment will follow the service at the Episcopal Church Columbarium. Book signing will be 9-5 p.m., on Friday, November 5, 2021 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home.
Memorials are suggested to the Episcopal Church or the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation in memory of Ruth. Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed to the family at www.adamsswanson.com. Adams and Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.