L. Ruth L. Steen, 96, of Minden, passed away on Saturday, October 28, 2023, surrounded by family, at Bethany Home in Minden. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 3, 2023 at Minden Evangelical Free Church with Rev. Tom Barnes officiating. The service will be streamed to the church's YouTube page. Interment will be held following the service at the Osco Cemetery, southwest of Norman. Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 2, 2023 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Craig Funeral Home in Minden. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Ruth's honor are kindly suggested to the family for later designation. Arrangements are under the care of Craig Funeral Home.

Linnea Ruth Lee (Nelson) Steen was born on August 28, 1927 on the family farm near the Osco community to Alfred and Edith (Olson) Nelson. She attended school at District #6 through the 8th grade, graduated from Minden High School in 1945, then attended Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln. She taught elementary school in McCook and Franklin.

She was united in marriage to Calvin L. Steen on March 17, 1949 on the family farm. To this union, four children were born: Mary Ann, Dixie Lou, Sharon Kay and Paul Calvin. The family made their home in rural Kearney County where she was a talented homemaker. Ruth and Calvin later retired to Minden.

Ruth was a member of the Osco Baptist Church, where she was baptized in 1946, Minden Evangelical Free Church, South Central Nebraska Genealogical Society and the Campbell Legion Auxiliary. She served as a Sunday School teacher and 4-H leader. Ruth enjoyed genealogy, flowers, traveling and supporting her grandchildren's activities. She was honored to receive the Nebraska Pioneer Farm Award for continued ownership of the family farm for over 100 years.

Those left to cherish her memory include her son, Paul (Kim) Steen of Upland; daughters, Mary Ann (Tom) Hanson of Grand Island, Dixie (Harold) Sindt of Upland, and Sharon (David) Deerson of Mead; 11 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Kathy Steen; as well as a host of extended relatives and close friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Edith (Olson) Nelson; husband, Calvin Steen; great-grandchildren, Alyssa and Matthew; siblings, Melva Ray, Evelyn Ruckman, Roscoe Nelson, Marjore Maier and Calvin Nelson; in-laws, John and Alfreida (Koch) Steen; brothers-in-law, Herbert Steen and Delano Steen; sister-in-law, Shirley Steen.

Tributes and memories can be shared with the family at www.craigfunerals.com .