Small Town News

Ruth Schanche

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Ruth Esther Schanche, age 83, of Yankton, S.D., passed away Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010, at Avera McKennan Hospital, Sioux Falls, S.D. The funeral service was at 11 a.m., Tuesday, March 2, at the United Church of Christ (Congregational) Church, Yankton, with Rev. Joe Schulte and Rev. Paul Op-sahl officiating. Burial was in the Saron Cemetery, Midway. Visitation was from 4-8 p.m., Monday, at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, with a scripture service at 7 p.m., and resumed one hour prior to the service at the church. Pallbearers were Tim Schaeffer, Dave Schanche, Kenny Schanche, Dale Schanche, Delmar Schanche and Delmar Nelson. Honorary pallbearers were John Kenna, Vincent Kenna, Martin Kenna, Cori Stah-lecker, Cara Stahlecker and Devin Stahlecker.

Ruth was born to Nickolas and Susie (Wipf) Schaeffer May 2, 1926, in Menno, S.D. She was baptized and confirmed at Saron Reformed Church in Menno. She received her education in Mennc while helping her parents on the family farm.

Ruth married Raymond Muellei May 7, 1950. They made their home and raised their two daughters, Connie and Susan, in Yankton. Raymond died Oct. 3, 1969. She married Terrell Schanche Oct. 2, 1971. Ruth was a homemaker who provided daycare to the Yankton Community for 35 years. Ruth was affectionately known by the kids as "Mama Ruth." Ruth spent her years being a loving and supportive mother, grandmother and wife. She enjoyed playing cards, cooking for her family and baking her famous banana bread and cookies. Ruth and Terry loved to open their home to friends and family. Whether barbecuing on the deck or hosting a game of pinochle, their home always had an "open door policy" where everyone was welcome. Above all, Ruth loved her family. She was at her happiest when surrounded by her family. We love you Grandma Ru-thie. We will miss you.

Ruth is survived by her husband Terrell Schanche of Yankton; her daughters: Connie Kenna of Omaha, Neb., Susan Stahlecker of Yankton; her stepdaughters: Pam "Harold" Cook of Vernonia, Ore., Terri Jan "Earle" Bell of Banks, Ore.; her 16 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; her brother Alvin Schaeffer of Yankton and sister Edna Fargo of Yankton.

Ruth is preceded in death by her first husband and parents, her sisters Hilda, Nettie, Elsie, Agnes; her brothers Helmuth, Rueben and Herbert; stepdaughters Charlotte and Kris; two stepgrandchildren and one son-in-law.

where she put the children on the ponies to lead and walk them for pictures and fun. She also worked at the Yosemite Lodge and the Awahnee Hotel in the food service where she was in management as the lead hostess for nine years.

In June of 2001, Kirk and Debby moved to Olivet where Debby again chose a career where she could help people. She worked at the Scotland Good Samaritan Center for three years and then the Menno-Olivet Care Center for five years until she was forced to retire due to her battle with cancer.

Debby loved horseback riding, ice skating, crocheting and visiting with her friends. Throughout her life Debby always chose jobs that involved helping other people. She was an individual who always tried to put the needs of others ahead of her own, especially caring and praying for her family. Above all, Debby lived her life for Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior.

Debby is survived by her husband Kirk of Olivet; father Bernard Breeding of Big Timber, Mont.; two step-daughters: Vicki Marie (Bobby) Crist of Mt. Lake Terrace, Wash., and Terri Renee Gustafson of Granite Falls, Wash.; several grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren; three brothers: Charles 0udy) Breeding of Bakers-field, Calif., Mike Carter of Libby, Mont., and Terry Breeding of Olivet; brothers and sisters-in-law Margo (Pat) Fines of Crooks, S.D., Sheila (Jerry) Lotton of Sioux Falls, S.D., Steven Towns of Sioux Falls, William (Nancy) Towns of Sioux Falls, Michael Towns of Houston, Texas and Shannon (Ron) Dake of Sioux Falls.

She was preceded in death by her mother; sisters-in-law Vicky Marie Towns and Diane (Eugene) Jaque; and several nieces and nephews.



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© 2010 Hutchinson Herald Menno, South Dakota. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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