Ruth Orr Stephenson

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Ruth Orr Stephenson, 94, of Lincoln passed away February 8, 2025. Born November 12, 1930, in Council Bluffs, IA to William and Vera (Westerland) Orr.

Ruth attended Mount Vernon Country School and Missouri Valley High School in Missouri Valley, IA, and Colorado Women’s College in Denver. She received her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. She first taught college at the Lawrence University Conservatory of Music in Appleton, WI.

Ruth taught at Nebraska Wesleyan University for 36 years, retiring in 1997 as Professor of Music. She was a frequent featured soprano with Opera Omaha (Madame Butterfly, Marriage of Figaro, Pagliacci, Lucia di Lammermoor with Beverly Sills) and the Lincoln Symphony (Verdi: Requiem and Poulenc: Gloria). She was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Morning Music Review, Musical Art Club, P.E.O. Chapter FB and Bookworms. She was a member of Mu Phi Epsilon International Music Fraternity Lincoln Alumni Chapter, founding faculty sponsor of the Beta Pi Mu Phi Epsilon chapter at Nebraska Wesleyan University and a recipient of Mu Phi Epsilon’s Orah Ashley Lamke Distinguished Alumni Award.

Family members include her son William (Cheryl) Stephenson, Apple Valley, MN; daughters Susan (Christopher) Holder, Los Angeles, CA and Carol Stephenson (Gary Thorn), Fuquay-Varina, NC; grandsons Stephenson and Garrison Holder, Willie Stephenson (Amanda Koehler); sister Jane Mansfield, Orange Park, FL; honorary daughter Barbara Welsh (Glenn) Osga and family; nephews Paul, Robert, Reed and Daniel and nieces Mary Lynn and Margaret and families. Preceded in death by her parents and husband Walter.

Visitation with family present: 6:00 – 7:30 pm Friday, February 14, 2025, Roper and Sons Midtown Chapel, 4300 ‘O’ St.

Celebration of Life Service: 3:00 pm Saturday, February 15, 2025, First Presbyterian Church, 840 S. 17th St. Livestream at https://fpclincoln.altarlive.com/stream/06dj-3rbo-k99ry

Champagne Reception: 6:30 – 8:00 pm Saturday, February 15, 2025, Eastmont Towers Performing Arts Center, 6315 ‘O’ St.

Memorials may be directed to First Presbyterian Church Lincoln, Ruth Orr Stephenson Endowed Vocal Music Scholarship at Nebraska Wesleyan University, Eastmont Senior Living or HoriSun Hospice.

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Services

February14

Visitation

6:00 pm-7:30 pm CST

Roper & Sons Midtown Chapel

4300 O St.
Lincoln, NE 68510

(402) 476-1225

February15

Celebration of Life

3:00 pm CST

First Presbyterian Church

840 S. 17th St., Lincoln, Nebraska

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Share a Memory or Condolence

February 15, 2025

My deepest condolences to Ruth’s family. I studied voice with Ruth during my years at NWU. Her laughter and smile always brightened my day.

– Beverly Swartz Kreitzer

February 14, 2025

Ruth was my voice teacher at NWU and she left a lasting impression with my singing but also in my heart. She was like another mom, away from home. She was one of the most classy women I have ever met and will forever try to emulate her graciousness. Even after departing my years at Wesleyan, she continued to keep me on her Christmas card list and I was able to keep up with her adored family. William, Susan and Carol, I am so sorry for your loss. Ruth was an angel on earth who was an encourager for all whom she loved. ❤️❤️

– Kerry Hicks Calverley

February 14, 2025

We called Ruth “grandmabear” as a loving expression of just how good and loved she made us all feel. At my wedding it was pre-planned that my bride Barbara, a Wesleyan alum and vocal student of Ruths, would sing a song to me at the altar. But also pre-planned if anything went wrong, was Ruth at a microphone with the music in hand – just in case! So after the first line of the song “It seems I’ve always loved you…” I burst out into tears, which then made my bride Barbara start to sob while singing, which the led to Ruth gracefully not missing a word of the lyrics, while she completed the song with her lovely voice. So smooth a transition in fact that most thought it was planned that way! At that wedding moment and countless times both before and since, Ruth was always there for us, her love was unending as was our love for her… We shall miss her dearly and we were so blessed to have her in our lives… and thanks to her and Walt producing a magnificent loving family of beautiful musical geniuses, we have the continued joy of Ruths dear family forever and ever. No greater gift than this love of family.

– Glenn Osga

February 14, 2025

My deepest condolences to Ruth’s family. I was fortunate to have been a student at NWU when Ruth taught there and will always remember her kindness and smile. She never seemed to be upset or angry with anyone, but always found a positive thing to say in any situation. After I graduated from NWU (’94) I went on to be a music teacher and thank her for the musicianship skills she instilled in me that I tried to pass on to the next generation. I see she was a fellow P.E.O. sister. Not a surprise. She exemplified everything about the Sisterhood. I have no doubt her beautiful voice will be among the choirs in heaven where she rejoices at her reward. Rest well, Mrs. Stepheson.

– Chrissi (Valencia) Bywater

February 12, 2025

Such fond memories of Ruth. I was not a music major at Wesleyan but had been involved with music from high school in Geneva. I took a Music Appreciation class under Ruth’s tutelage and enjoyed it immensely. What a kind, gracious and caring person she was. At Wesleyan I was involved in varsity athletic activities. Ruth introduced me to Pops Bennett and I had one enjoyable year with the choir. Ruth encouraged that activity and for that I am forever thankful. May that beautiful voice be singing with the angles.

– Paul R PR. Farmer

February 12, 2025

Fond memories of Ruth and her very talented family. So sorry for your loss

– Karen Eno-Meyer

February 12, 2025

She was always a wonderful encourager. One of those persons you meet in life and never forget

– Dave Mohr

February 12, 2025

Many of us lost one of the most kind, loving, friends that I have had for over 30 years. I worked with Ruth for many years in the music department at NWU, and she was one of the most classy women I have ever met! She truly loved all of her students and was a wonderful mentor to them. Ruth was also a role model for me on how to work with college students and how to make them all feel important (and by gosh, she was so right, they are all very important in their own way!) How to smile and nod to them during recitals (even when they sound crummy) to make them confident in their performance. Her children and grandchildren were such a joy to her, she spoke of them often, and was so very proud of each and every one. God speed my dear friend… your time here on earth was very well spent and you made such a difference in so many of our lives. I love you dearly and will miss you until we meet again (and you can remind me of how to pronounce all the composers’ names!). Thank you, Ruth for being a part of my life.

– Kathy Benischek

February 12, 2025

Ruth Stephenson was the best. Kind, caring and nurturing. I graduated in 1974 with the BM in voice. I was on the catalogue review committee and she was my advisor as well as an advocate. With my tweaking of the degree requirements we were able to get a double major in voice and music education in four years. I went on to get a masters and doctorate at UNL following side trips to other institutions. I taught at Peru, UNL, Hastings, and was finally at Sul Ross State in Texas. Retired to Omaha in 2018 and still teach part time at IWCC Council Bluffs. I still have a sheet of vocal exercises that Ruth wrote out for me. I can’t attend the visitation or the memorial because I have committed to attend another voice teacher and colleague’s memorial in CO. His wife is Donna Harper-Smith, my professor at UNL. My great uncle, Dr E. Glenn Callen, head of political science at NWU, was still on staff when RS was hired in 1961. I will always treasure her memory. So sorry for your loss.

– (Dr.) Donald Callen Freed 432-294-2805

February 12, 2025

Ruth was a great role model to young music students during my NWU studies 1969-73 as a working mom who could do it all. We especially appreciated her leadership in beginning the Mu Phi Epsilon organization. 💜🎶🎹Wishing peace & comfort to all at this sad time of the loss of a lovely lady 🕊🕯🙏