Obituary: Ruth Katherine McCasland

Ruth Katherine McCasland

Ruth Katherine McCasland

Ruth Katherine McCasland of Prescott, Ariz., went to be with her Lord and Savior Nov. 10, 2013, at her home surrounded, by her loving family after a lengthy illness.

She was born Nov. 3, 1918, in Juniata, Neb., to Albert and Maria (Reiners) Katzberg.

She is survived by her daughter, Mary Jean Kuebler; sons James (Deb) and Scott (Kathy); grandchildren Heather, Kevin, Holly, Kerri, Bobby, Nathan, Sarah, Anthony and David; seven great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; as well as her sisters, Thelma Augustine and Dora Hermann.

A special thank you to her dedicated caregivers, Maria, Theresa, Virginia and Mary Jean, who provided thousands of hours of loving care which allowed Ruth to remain in her home. She received compassionate end-of-life care from Jessica, Marla and the rest of the staff at Hospice Family Care.

She is preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and a sister, first husband George Junior Neeman who was killed during WWII in the battle of the Bulge, and second husband of 63 years Eugene McCasland, who was severely wounded during the same battle that took her first husband. WWII had a lasting impact on Ruth for her entire life.

She was employed by the U.S. Army in various capacities during WWII, once providing transportation to General Wainwright. After the war, she worked for the Veterans Administration where she would meet Eugene. Ruth also worked as a schoolteacher in a one-room schoolhouse in Adams County, Neb., and in the Head Start program on the Yavapai/Apache reservation in Camp Verde, Ariz. She also was once employed in the Yavapai County Assessor's office.

Ruth loved nature's beauty and had a particular fondness for the colors of autumn. She enjoyed traveling, which prompted her and Eugene driving round trip to Alaska when in their 70s. Camping near streams was a particular delight along with nature hikes.

She enjoyed spending time with her grand-children.

She was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary and Gold Star Wives of America. She was a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church, the last 15 years as a member of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3300 N. Navajo Drive of Prescott Valley, Ariz., where services will be on Saturday, Nov. 16, at 10 a.m.

She will be laid to rest with her husband Eugene in the National Cemetery in Cave Creek, Ariz.

Arrangements entrusted to Hampton Funeral Home. Please visit www.hamptonfuneralhome.com to visit and sign Ruth's guestbook.

Information provided by survivors.


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