Ruth Evelyn Prater

Funeral Services for Ruth Prater age 89, of Clearwater will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 21, 2018 at Concordia Lutheran Church in Clearwater with Pastor Daniel Feusse, Officiating. Burial will be at Clearwater Cemetery in Clearwater, Nebraska. Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, April 20, 2018, at Snider Memorial Funeral Home in Clearwater. Ruth passed away Wednesday, April 18, 2018 at Neligh Care and Rehabilitation Neligh. The daughter of William and Flora (Mueller) Kruger, Ruth was born August 16, 1928 in Tilden, Nebraska. She was baptized on September 23, 1928 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tilden. She soon moved with her family to Clearwater. Ruth was confirmed on May 31, 1942 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Clearwater and was a lifelong member of the Lutheran church. She graduated from Clearwater Public School with the class of 1946. As a young woman Ruth worked at Miller Brother's Grocery store in Clearwater.
Ruth was united in marriage to Benny W. Prater on October 29, 1947 in Grand Island. Ruth and Benny made their home in Clearwater. Benny sold cars for Contois Motor Company and Ruth was his ever-ready assistant, running cars and parts, even tying candy bars on trees after Benny promised a would-be buyer's children that if their dad purchased a car they could pick candy off his candy-tree. Ruth eventually worked herself into a job with Contois as well, filling out purchase agreements and other paperwork.
Ruth was a Charter member of the Clearwater American Legion Auxiliary and celebrated 70 years of membership this past January.
Ruth enjoyed her family, spending hours cooking their favorite dishes for holidays and birthdays. She loved to decorate and to the delight of her children and grandchildren, her house sparkled with window and yard displays for every season. Ruth insisted on mowing her own yard and scooping her own snow until in June of 2015 she moved to The Willows Assisted Living in Neligh.
Ruth is survived by her daughter, Benita and husband Danny Beutler of Clearwater, son, Tracy and wife Cindy of Ewing, son Kelly and special friend, Deann Dickey of Lincoln; six grandchildren, Meredith Morey and husband Michael, Wes Prater and wife Danielle, Ivy Prater, Brock Prater and wife Stephanie, Ben Prater and Bo Prater; and seven great grandchildren. Ruth is survived by a sister, Carol (Bill) Timm of Kearney and a brother, John (Dorothea) Kruger of Lincoln. Sister-in-law, Alys Kruger and brother-in-law Don Maulding.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, brothers, William Jr., Donnie, and Robert and one sister, Bonnie.