Leona M. Ruhge, 90, of Avoca, passed away on June 21, 2021, at the Ambassador in Nebraska City. She was born on July 9, 1930, to August and Minnie (Johns) Brinkhoff near Otoe.
Leona attended Peru State College after graduation from Otoe High School. After receiving her teaching certificate, she taught country school at District 11 for 2 years. On June 3, 1951, she married Robert Ruhge at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Otoe. After Robert was discharged from the Marines, they moved back to Avoca. Together they worked on the farm.
Leona was active at church, along with teaching Sunday school and helping with the church newsletter. She was also instrumental in the renovation of the Otoe Cemetery. Leona enjoyed doing ceramics and working in her flower garden.
She is survived by her sons, Rick (Wanda) Ruhge, Rod (Cindy) Ruhge; grandchildren, Erika (Jim) Polzin, Ryan (Lacey) Ruhge; great grandchildren, Austen Churchill, Lexi Polzin, Hayden and Robert Rylan Ruhge; sister, Lucille Ruffner, and many other relatives, friends and family friend Steph Petersen.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; parents, August and Minnie Brinkhoff; brother-in-law, Ervin Ruffner and great grandson Rowan Ruhge.
Memorials are suggested to the Otoe Cemetery.
Arrangements By: Fusselman Allen Harvey Funeral Home, Syracuse, NE
Condolences to www.fusselmanallenharvey.com
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, June 25, at 10 a.m., at the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Otoe. Burial will follow at the Avoca Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 24, from 9 a.m., until 9 p.m., with family greeting friends from 6-8 p.m., at the funeral home in Syracuse.
