Ruth Marie Livgren, 100, passed away Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026, at The Heritage at College View in Hastings.

Ruth Marie VonSpreckelsen was born on Aug. 20, 1926, to Ernest and Betty (Hoyt) VonSpreckelsen on the family farm in rural Clay Center. She received her education at Clay Center Public School, graduating from there in 1944 as Salutatorian of her class. She married Dale Livgren on Aug. 22, 1946, in Mankato, KS and to this union four children were born. Ruth’s passion was working as a farm wife and mother to her children, and caring for her family. She worked alongside her husband, Dale, on the family farm north of Clay Center raising corn, wheat, milo, soybeans and running a stock cow/calf operation. She had many close encounters with livestock but always managed to come away unscathed. Ruth also raised laying hens and enough broiler chickens to share with all her grown children and their families. After Dale and Ruth retired, she was always interested in what the “guys” were doing. Ruth and Dale enjoyed 76 years of marriage until Dale passed away in August of 2022.

The cornerstone of Ruth’s life was her faith in Jesus. She was an active member in the Clay Center Christian Church serving as a Sunday School teacher, a member of the Missionary Circle and she chaired the World Day of Prayer for several years. She was a charter member of the Happy Homemakers Extension Club and a 4-H Leader. Ruth and Dale enjoyed square dancing in the Whirl-a-Naders Square Dance Club.

Ruth is survived by her children: Douglas (Sandy) Livgren, Karin (Ross) VanderHamm, Judith (David) Woods and Kristin (John) Dittmer; grandchildren: Kendra Johnson, Joel Livgren, Lance Livgren, Kara Jordan, Nathan VanderHamm, Laura Case, David VanderHamm, Jason Woods, Nicholas Woods, Pamela Spilker, Philip Dittmer, Matthew Dittmer and Cheyanne Lowe; 34 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at the Clay Center Christian Church in Clay Center with Pastor Arick Johanson officiating. Interment followed at the Clay Center Cemetery. Visitation was Friday from 4 until 7 p.m., with the family present from 5 until 7 p.m., at the Clay Center Christian Church in Clay Center.

Services were live streamed through the Clay Center Christian Church YouTube page. https://www.youtube.com/@ claycenterchristian6395/streams Memorial contributions may be directed to the Clay Center Christian Church General Fund.

Condolences may be left at www.suttonmemorial.com.