Wilma J Woodruff

Wilma Woodruff, 86 Kearney resident Wilma J. Woodruff, 86, of Kearney died Thursday, February 11, 2016 with her family by her side at CHI Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. Funeral Services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 16, 2016 at the First Presbyterian Church in Kearney with the Rev. Stephen Price Gibson officiating. Interment will follow at Kearney Cemetery. Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Monday at the O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to the Southern Valley High School Scholarship Fund in memory of Wilma Woodruff or to the Kearney First Presbyterian Church. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Wilma was born January 21, 1930 in rural Beaver City, Nebraska to James W. and Melissa Mae (Harding) Wright. She grew up in rural Stamford, NE and received her education from Stamford High School, graduating in 1947. On November 2, 1947, Wilma was united in marriage to Gayle Woodruff. She worked as a nurse’s aide at the Oxford Hospital before working 22 years as a secretary/bookkeeper for Oxford Community Schools and another 10 years at Southern Valley High School. Wilma could always be found by her husband’s side helping with farming and ranching duties. Wilma will be remembered for hospitality and her ability to cook and bake. She enjoyed gardening, embroidering and was an avid sport enthusiast. Wilma cherished time spent with her family. She was a lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church in Stamford and then in Kearney after retirement. She was active in Presbyterian Women. Survivors include her husband Gayle Woodruff of Kearney; children Tom (Diane) Woodruff of Denver, Jerry (Peggy) Woodruff of North Platte, Kathy (Don) Ulrich of Kearney, Dennis Woodruff of Holdrege, Denise (Jay) Bird of Ocklawaha, FL and Lissa Woodruff and husband Evan Kinney of Kearney; grandchildren Phillip, Jeffrey and Melanie Woodruff; Laura, Michael and Beth Woodruff, Scott Ewing, Christy McKeeman; Jenifer Hovland, Melissa and Brandon Ulrich; and Ethan Kinney; great grandchildren, Taylor, Ryan, Mariah, Connor and Christopher McKeeman, Breyden Geyer, Brenner Ewing, Ulrike Hovland and Jocelyn Ulrich, as well as, numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Wilma was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Nellie Weaver, Ruby Brand, Hazel Tull and brother Floyd James Wright.

Wilma J Woodruff

January 21, 1930 - February 11, 2016