Clara Ruttman

Clara L. Ruttman, 86, died Wednesday, April 7, 2021, at Good Samaritan Society's Grand Island Village in Grand Island.

Her funeral was conducted at 10 a.m., Monday, April 12, at the Clay Center Christian Church in Clay Center, Neb., with Pastors Rich Milliken and Arick Johanson officiating. Interment followed at the Nelson Cemetery in Nelson with Pastor Scott Jones presiding. Visitation with the family present was from 5 to 7 p.m., Sunday, at McLaughlin Funeral Chapel in Clay Center, Neb.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Clay Center Christian Church for children's ministries.

Condolences may be left at http://www.mclaughlinchapel.com

Clara was born Dec. 16, 1934, in Fairfield, Neb., to Clarus E. and Violet A. (Hamburger) Whithorn. She received her education in Fairfield and graduated from Fairfield High School in 1953. Clara was an excellent singer and before graduating from high school, she had cut her own album. On Aug. 16, 1953, she married Gordon Ruttman in Angus, Neb. She furthered her education at the Nebraska State Teachers College in Kearney, Neb., graduating in 1954. Clara taught at various country schools in the Deweese area during her teaching career. Clara eventually left her teaching career to be a homemaker and care for her family. Clara was often heard saying that she has the best kids and grandkids.

Clara was a Nuckolls County Extension Club member. She taught Sunday School for more than 50 years and was deeply involved in church activities especially children's ministries. She enjoyed taking baking classes and had baked for numerous weddings and activities, her first being her parents' 40th wedding anniversary. After her husband died, she became involved with the Red Hat Society and the Retired Teachers Association. Clara had taken a lot of open class exhibits to the Nuckolls County Fair winning the top award four years in a row.

She is survived by her children, Gerry (Janet) Ruttman of Grand Island; Cindy (Philip) Wicke of Greeley, Colo .; Cheryl Green of Clay Center, Neb .; Carol (Lew) Stancer of Colorado Springs, Colo .; and Connie (Jason) Mathews of Grand Island; grandchildren, Heather Ryan; Brittany Cardinas and Gerrod Ruttman; Dustin Wicke; Luke Wicke; Chandra Wicke-Wafaie and Antony Wicke; Adam Green and Charity Wieberdink; Carissa Stancer; Cassidy Laubscher and Levi Stancer; Joshua Mathews and Cailey Mathews; 17 great-grandchildren and a sister, Ruth Ann Whitmore, of Grand Island.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarus and Violet Whithorn; her husband, Gordon Ruttman and her son-in-law, John Green.