BARNEBEY, RUTH SOVILLA “RUTHIE B.”

Ruth Sovilla Barnebey was born the daughter of Charlie and Florence Barnebey on September 30, 1915, at their home in Mullen. When she was 4 years old, the family moved to Lakeside, Nebraska, where her father was in charge of the bank. Ruth attended school in Lakeside, and she gradu-ated from high school as class valedictorian in the first accredited class there.

Following graduation, Ruth went to Al-liance, Nebraska, where she had a job as a housekeeper for a family out in the country. While she was there she made the decision to become a missionary, and went to study at Kansas City National Training School for Christian workers in Kansas City, Missouri. During her second year there, she became critically ill. It was discovered that she had double kidneys on both sides and, due to infection, she needed surgery. Doctors oper-ated, having told Ruth that she would likely not survive – but survive, she did.

The following summer Ruth served as Director of Vacation Bible Schools in the Nebraska Northwest District of the Method-ist Church. She traveled around the District helping to organize and direct the teachers in several different churches. Although she was never able to complete her schooling and become a missionary as she had hoped, she has worked in the local church and taught Sunday School most of her life.

After more than a year at home, she went to Paxton to be with her sister, Zelma Scott. While there she again did housework for a family in town. When she received word that her mother, Florence Barnebey, had been diagnosed with cancer, Ruth returned home to Mullen. Soon after that she became clerk of Selective Service, and she remained in that position for 27 years until the office was moved to North Platte in the early 1970's. During this same time period she also became Welfare Director, and held this job for over 30 years before retiring in 1979.

Ruth tells the story of one of the Welfare recipients who got married and moved out of the state, making it necessary to close his case. He came to her complaining that he didn't know what he was going to do. He said, “Ruth, I had to get married!'' When she inquired as to the reason, he replied, “Well, you know -'' then he looked kind of funny and said, “Oh, I shouldn't be saying this to you.'' She told him to go ahead, so he continued, “If you haven't got a partner when you die, you can't go to heaven. I had to get married so I can go to heaven,'' then asked, “So what's going to happen to you?''

There was a familiar saying often quoted by Ruth in reference to her faithful canine companions, and that is: “Love me – love my dog!'' Her first dog of about 15 years was a Pekinese named “Tiny,'' and was a familiar sight tripping up and down the halls of the courthouse as she accompanied Ruth to work. One of Tiny's many funny habits was to make regular treks to the Co-op just down the street from home to carry back cubes of cattle feed that she could gnaw on for a snack.

During the years when blowouts were plentiful in the Sandhills, Ruth was an avid arrowhead hunter. Her friend and companion on these many excursions was Rosalie (Motl) Combs. There were countless times when their car would be stuck and had to be pushed out of the sand before returning home, many times disappointedly not having found any arrowheads but never without having lots of fun in the process.

Known affectionately by her many friends as “Ruthie B.,'' there were very few things going on in Hooker County that Ruth didn't have a hand in. She was Civil Defense Director for several years, a steady member and worker in the Methodist Church, mem-ber of the Order of Eastern Star for which she served as Worthy Matron along with her father, Charlie Barnebey, as Worthy Patron. In 1950 during the Crusade for Freedom, Ruth was appointed the Hooker County chairman when the Liberty Bell as brought to Mullen for exhibit. She has been chairman of Red Cross for about 30 years, as well as heading many community campaigns for charity causes, and serving as Treasurer for the Hospital Auxiliary for a good many years. Ruth has also enjoyed acting in a number of the Historical Society's plays put on during the County Fairs in recent years.

After retirement, Ruth has spent her time doing the things she didn't have time for while she was employed, especially working with the old-timers at the Nursing Home. She became involved in this initially during the first summer after she retired, when she substituted for two months as Activities Director. Following that, she began on a regular weekly basis as a volunteer helping with Bingo games for the residents, and has faithfully continued this activity (along with her sister, Zelma Scott) for many years. Ruth has remained in the Barnebey family home in Mullen, keeping house for her father, Charlie, until his death and continuing to care for her brother Olin who lived there also until he was moved to the Mullen Nursing Home at 80 years of age.