Ruth Margaret (Swanson) Fishwood

Ruth Margaret (Swanson) Fishwood, 89, of Humboldt, Nebraska, was born on April 19, 1927, in Minden, Nebraska to Swan Albert and Johanna Kristine (Sandahl) Swanson.  Ruth, along with her twin, Robert, and older brothers Ralph and Philip, grew up in Minden, where she attended public school and graduated from Minden High School with the class of 1945.  Ruth attended the University of Nebraska, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Home Economics. While in college, she was introduced to her future husband, Homer Fishwood, by his sister, Sue (Fishwood) Steffen.  Prior to marriage, Ruth’s first teaching job was in Ravenna, Nebraska.

Homer and Ruth were united in marriage on June 7, 1953.  They established their home on a farm they named Four Elm, east of Humboldt.  To this union, two daughters, Nancy and Kathryn, were born.  Once the girls had both started school, Ruth returned to teaching, first at Dawson-Verdon, and later, at the newly-formed Southeast Consolidated School in Stella.  Eventually, Homer and Ruth moved to the Fishwood family farm, Hilaire, in 1979.

Ruth brought her skills and talents to each of the roles of her life: sister, student, wife, mother, neighbor and teacher. She was a very private person, uncomfortable in the spotlight, but her life was filled with love, labors, talents and service.  She was the May Queen in first grade, a horseshoe champion in eighth grade, and valedictorian of her senior class.  She was a loving and loyal daughter and sister, taking on the role of caregiver as her parents aged and declined.  She made clothing, baby blankets and crocheted Christmas ornaments.  She knitted, and quilted.  She taught us to sew, to cook, to decorate cakes, to arrange flowers.  We learned to alter patterns to fit our long arms and legs, to match plaids, and to use a seam ripper.  We learned that it was fine to adapt recipes to ingredients on hand, but that it was a good idea to write down any changes made, just in case we might want to repeat a success, or avoid an epic failure in the future.  We learned to clean our plates.  She taught us the importance of humble daily labors, and that household chores, though not necessarily fun, were the responsibility of each member of the family.  We knew that even though the Husker game was on the radio, we could still quietly dust and sweep (and run the vacuum after the game).  We learned to put our names on dishes and pans taken to church events. She loved wildflowers and Helen Steiner Rice poetry.  She made porcupines, spice bars, oatmeal cake & refrigerator stew.  Her recipe box was full; her Betty Crocker cookbook filled with stained and marked pages. She wore an apron.

Ruth had a gentle spirit, an iron will, a sweet smile, and there was often a sparkle in her lovely gray-blue eyes. Those sparkles were most evident when surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great-granddaughters. Her five grandchildren knew that she would provide a hug, a lap, or read a story without being asked.  Her cookie jar was full.

In the last several years, as she gradually left us along her journey of memory loss, we grieved and longed for the chance to ask questions we had never asked, and receive her advice and perspective on life, and the world.  Our identities are inextricably entwined in the lessons and examples Mom shared with us. We have been blessed.

Ruth was a member of the Bethel United Methodist Church in Dawson until its closing.  Her membership was then transferred to the Humboldt United Methodist Church.  Ruth was a 50 year member of the P.E.O Chapter DI, a member of the Humboldt Chapter #234 of the Eastern Star, and member of the Crescent Rebekah’s Lodge #100.  She was also a member of UMW, Extension Club, and Golden Rod Club. 

Ruth gently transitioned from this earthly life to her eternal home at the Colonial Acres Nursing Home in Humboldt, Nebraska on Monday, July 25, 2016, having reached the age of eighty-nine years, three months, and six days.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Homer, infant twin brothers John and William Swanson, and brothers Ralph and twin, Robert Swanson.  Ruth is survived by her daughters: Nancy Nemechek and her husband Jerry of rural Humboldt, NE; Kathryn Hayward and her husband Dennis of Raymond, NE; grandchildren: Beth Zager and her husband Jeff of Lincoln, NE; David Nemechek and his wife Amanda of Blair, NE; Alexander Nemechek of Humboldt, NE; Rebecca and Eric Hayward of Raymond, NE; great-grandchildren Anika and Zoey Nemechek of Blair, NE; a brother Philip Swanson and his wife Joyce of Bellingham, WA; sisters-in-law: Marilyn Swanson of Boulder City, NV; Sue Steffen of rural Humboldt, NE; and many other relatives and friends.    

Funeral Services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 30, 2016, at the United Methodist Church in Humboldt, Nebraska with Pastor Dean Joy officiating.   Interment was in the Heim Cemetery in Dawson, Nebraska.   Memorials contributions may be given to the family’s choice with a later designation.  Online messages of condolence can be left at www.wherrymortuary.com.  Services were entrusted to Wherry Mortuary–Humboldt, Nebraska (402) 862-2915.

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