Margaret Lucille Hunter

Margaret Lucille (Ruf) Goodenberger Hunter of McCook passed away Friday, July 18, 2014 at Hillcrest Nursing Home. She was 79 years old.

Margaret was born on August 6, 1934 to Henry and Anna Marie "Mary" (Amen) Ruf, Sr. at the family farm near Wilsonville, the youngest of 11 children. She attended grade school at Tyrone County School. She graduated from the Lebanon High School in 1953. After high school, Margaret moved to McCook where she was employed by Prest Drug Store.

On November 20, 1955, she was united in marriage to Gilbert Goodenberger. They moved to a farm near Stratton and later to a farm southwest of McCook. Four children were born to this union. Gilbert preceded her in death on May 14, 1977.

Margaret worked for TRW from 1975 to 1984. She was united in marriage to Floyd Hunter on January 19, 1985. They moved to Garden City, Kansas where she was employed at Alco Discount Store until 1989. At that time, they moved to Ft. Collins, Colorado and she was employed with Sears until 1992. They moved back to the McCook community to be closer to family and friends. Margaret returned to Alco Discount Store for eight years until she retired. Floyd preceded her in death on March 28, 2008.

She was a member of the First Congregational Church and Women's Fellowship. She was also a member of the Community Hospital Auxiliary where she volunteered as a Pink Lady. She loved to grow African Violets, cross-stitch, embroidery work, and read. She also liked to take walks during the summer months.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Henry and Mary Ruf, Sr.; her husbands, Gilbert Goodenberger and Floyd Hunter; son, Joe Goodenberger, Sr.; sisters, Leah Lomax, Esther Meader and Lydia Ruf; brothers, Henry Ruf, Jr., John Ruf and Manual Ruf.

Survivors include her children, Steve Goodenberger and wife, Shauna, of McCook, Rita Davis of Fort Collins, CO, and Gail and husband, Bryon Best, of McCook; daughter-in-law, Shari Goodenberger of McCook; step-children, Michael Hunter and wife, Pat, of Baltimore, MD, Steven Hunter and wife, Marilyn, of McCook and Trish and husband, Cliff Clapp, of McCook; sisters, Ramona Fisher of North Platte, Anna Baughman of Arlington, TX, Ruby Slavens of Moline, IL, Katherine Atteberry of Cambridge; sisters-in-law, Margalee Ruf of Wilsonville and Phyllis and husband, Donald Davis of Ogallala, NE; brothers-in-law, John Goodenberger and wife, Phyllis, of McCook and Phillip Goodenberger and wife, Marilyn, of Stratton; 15 grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, family and a host of friends.

Memorials may be given in her name to the First Congregational Youth Group.

Funeral services are Monday, July 21, 2014, 10:30 a.m. at First Congregational Church with Pastor Steve Bales officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, McCook, NE.