Ruth Palensky

Ruth Eileen (Schmidt) Palensky, age 95, of McCook, NE passed away on Tuesday, December 13, 2022 at Community Hospital in McCook.

Ruth was born to Fred and Ina (Smith) Schmidt on September 28, 1927 on the family farm north of Indianola, NE.  She was one of five siblings who attended school at District #7 through the 8th Grade.  She then attended two years at the Indianola School before graduating from McCook High School with the Class of 1944.  Ruth furthered her education at McCook Community College the following year.

Following her year at McCook Community College, Ruth moved to Washington DC where she worked as a secretary and shorthand for the Bureau of Aeronautics for the next five years.  Ruth then moved to Denver, CO where she began her career with the Bureau of Reclamation.  She eventually transferred to the Bureau’s McCook Office.

Ruth married Ladimer (Loddie) Palensky of Oakes, ND on April 8, 1967 in Oakes.  The couple made their home on a farm and raised black angus cattle and chickens.  Ruth sold eggs and fryer chickens and worked for many years in the potato fields, grading and washing potatoes.

Following her husband’s passing in 1999, Ruth remained on the farm for a couple of years before once again returning home.  She moved into the Indianola Housing Authority in 2010.  Ruth loved her life on the farm and enjoyed all the animals, especially squirrels. Having lived in numerous states, Ruth loved North Dakota the most.

Ruth enjoyed working puzzles and writing letters.  She was a member of the Indianola Methodist Church and had recently been attending the Willow Christian Church. She was blessed with good health much of her life and was the last living member of the original Schmidt Family.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Loddie Palensky; siblings, Marjorie (Clay) Cafferty, Griff (Ramona) Schmidt, Cliff (Margaret) Schmidt and LaVerna (Alan) Bishop; her two nephews, Dru Cafferty and Freddie Schmidt and a niece in law, Nancy Schmidt.

Those left to celebrate her life include her nephews, Les (Deanna) Schmidt of Indianola and Brett (Lori) Schmidt of McCook; niece, Brenda (Troy) Hinz of Indianapolis, IN; and her great nieces, nephews and many extended family members.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the McCook Humane Society, PO Box 13, McCook, NE 69001.

Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 10:30am, one hour prior to the funeral service, at the Willow Christian Church, 419 E Street, Indianola, on Saturday, December 17, 2022.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30am on Saturday, December 17, 2022 at the Willow Christian Church with Pastor Clark Bates as officiant.

Burial will follow in the Cedar Grove Cemetery, Indianola.