Ruth E. Harrington

Ruth E. Harrington, 95, formally of Grand Island, died on Thursday, January 15, 2015 at the Good Samaritan Society in Hastings. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2015 at First Presbyterian Church. Rev. Caroline Price-Gibson will officiate. Private family burial will precede the service in Grand Island City Cemetery. Those left to mirror Ruth’s amazing example of love and service are her sons, John (Barbara) Harrington of Hastings, and Doug (Jolyne) Harrington of Conifer, CO; eight grandchildren (Michael Harrington, Ben Harrington, Dr. Anne Harrington, Megan McQuillan Crane, Erin McQuillan Howe, Patrick McQuillan, Jonathan Fitzpatrick, and Lindsay Fitzpatrick); nine great-grandchildren; along with a host of extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, H.W. “Bud” Harrington on June 8, 1977; daughter, Sue Ann Fitzpatrick; brother, Kenneth Eisenhart. Ruth was born on November 30, 1919 at Culbertson, to Arvene C. and Fern (Solomon) Eisenhart. She was extremely proud of her hometown, often citing it as the very bedrock of hospitality, neighborliness, and compassion. After graduating from Culbertson High School in 1936, she pursued higher education at McCook Jr. College and Hastings College, finally graduating as a RN from St. Luke’s School of Nursing, Denver, CO, in 1942. Ruth considered her training and commitment as a nurse to be of the highest calling, one that she selflessly shared with family, community, and friends throughout her life, On January 12, 1947 she was united in marriage to H.W. “Bud” Harrington. Following their marriage they lived in Holdrege, Minden, and Hastings until they settled in Grand Island in 1952. Besides assisting in the operation of Harrington Feed Yards, Ruth loved flowers and tending her manicured lawn, active for many years in the Garden Club and downtown beautification. She was also a member of P.E.O., Red Cross, Gourmet Club, YWCA, Saturday Church School Teacher for the Mentally Challenged, and active in First Presbyterian Church. In those rare moments when she was not thinking and working for others, Ruth enjoyed swimming and was famous for her near fanatical devotion to Big Red Football. In honor of her daughter Sue Ann, who refused to allow a life-long struggle with juvenile diabetes to significantly restrict a giving and inspiring career as a teacher of special education, memorials are suggested to the American Diabetes Association.

Ruth E. Harrington

November 30, 1919 - January 15, 2015

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

Ruth E. Harrington

November 30, 1919 - January 15, 2015

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support