Ruth Boyd, 94 of Omaha, Nebraska, formerly of Columbus, Nebraska, died Sunday, June 15, 2008, at her home in Omaha.

The funeral service will be held on Wednesday at 2:00 PM at the First United Methodist Church in Columbus with Rev. Bill Ritter officiating.  Interment will be in the Roselawn Memorial Cemetery in Columbus.  Visitation will be on Wednesday from 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM with a family prayer service at 1:45 PM, all at the church. Memorials are suggested to the following: First United Methodist Church, Nebraska Methodist Hospital, Crowell Home or the Cancer Society.

Ruth Amelia Boyd was born July 10, 1913 in Humboldt, Nebraska, to Gus and Laura (Sandfort) Herr. She attended elementary school and graduated from Humboldt High School in 1930. For six years she was a helper in homes for people and then entered Nebraska Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in Omaha in 1936.

After receiving her nursing degree in 1939 she practiced in Atlantic, Iowa, for two years. She then came to Columbus, Nebraska, in 1941 in the employment of the Lutheran Hospitals and Homes Society, Fargo, North Dakota, and was placed in the surgery department. Four years later she was put in charge of the hospital in Britton, South Dakota. After one year she decided that being a superintendent was not for her, so she returned to Columbus and went out to North Platte to help set up a new hospital. She was placed in the surgery department of the new hospital. After two years she again returned to Columbus and took charge of surgery and obstetrics and remained there until her retirement in 1968.

She married D. Merwin Boyd in 1962 and after her retirement they enjoyed many trips together. She was a life member of the Alumnae Foundation of the Nebraska Methodist Hospital School of Nursing and the Lutheran Hospital & Homes Society. Ruth was a member of the Disaster Medical Committee of the Red Cross, helping with blood banks. She was a charter member of the Platte County Nurses Association, serving as president for one year and helped set up the Student Loan Fund. Ruth was a charter member of the Women's Division of the Chamber of Commerce and belonged to the Arts Council and the Historical Society in Columbus. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church and sang in the choir for many years. She was a member of the Keystone Club and the United Methodist Women Circle.

Ruth is survived by:
Brother - Warren Herr of Lincoln, NE
Sister - Luella Marsh of Omaha, NE
Sister - Frances (Mark) Berg of Springfield, MO
13 nieces and nephews
27 great nieces and nephews
Several great-great nieces and nephews

Ruth was preceded in death by:
Parents - Gus & Laura Herr
Husband - D. Merwin Boyd
Brother - Milton Herr
Brother - Raymond Herr
Brother - Donald Herr
 

SERVICE FOLDER

The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall
not want. He maketh me to lie
down in green pastures; He leadeth
me beside the still waters. He
restoreth my soul; He leadeth me
in the paths of righteousness for
His name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the
valley of the shadow of death, I will
fear no evil; for Thou art with me;
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort
me; Thou preparest a table before
me in the presence of mine enemies;
Thou anointest my head with oil,
my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall
follow me all the days of my life;
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.



In Memory Of

Ruth A. Boyd

Born
Thursday, July 10, 1913
Humboldt, Nebraska

Entered Into Rest
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Omaha, Nebraska

Service
Wednesday, June 18, 2008          2:00 PM
First United Methodist Church
Columbus, Nebraska

Officiating
Rev. Bill Ritter

Music
Sandy Sypherd - Organist
Kevin Herr - Soloist
"In The Garden"
"Amazing Grace"
Congregational Hymn
"I Know That My Redeemer Lives"

Casket Bearers
Bill Herr                     Eric Berg
Dick Herr                 Kevin Herr
Phil Marsh             Stuart Berg
David Boyd

Interment
Roselawn Memorial Cemetery
Columbus, Nebraska