Ruth (Pauling) Theobald, passed away Monday, February 22, 2010, at the Monarch in Lincoln, at the age of 86. She was born November 14, 1923 on a farm in northwest Iowa, the youngest of four children born to Ernest and Margaret Pauling. Ruth attended a parochial school through the first eight grades and graduated from the Paullina, Iowa High School in May, 1941, as Salutatorian in her class of 38. She was a dedicated Christian.
She worked in several business offices as a stenographer and typist, and in 1942 she took flying lessons and at age 20 was one of the youngest females to get a private pilot’s license in the state of Iowa. As a result, she was hired by the CAA to be an Air Traffic Controller in several Midwestern airports until World War II ended.
Ruth subsequently worked as a professional secretary for several major companies. In 1954 she married Dale Theobald of Lincoln, where she lived the rest of her life. In 1964 she enrolled at the University of Nebraska, and graduated in 1968 with High Distinction, a Bachelor of Science degree and a major in Accounting. In 1970 she became a Registered Representative and partnered with her husband in the securities business, helping people establish tax deferred retirement programs, retiring in 1993.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Margaret Pauling, her brother Martin and wife Rosella Pauling, her sister Viola and husband Harold Puhrmann, and her brother-in-law, Gene Smith.
She is survived by her husband, Dale, her daughter, Patricia Kay Elliott, of Lincoln, her step-daughter, Linda Lee Lantz and her family in San Diego, CA, her sister Lee (Leona) Smith of Littleton, CO., and Lee’s family. Other survivors include members of the Theobald family, including Doris (Mrs. Bob) Miller of Dublin, GA and her family, Dohn and wife, Sandi of Tucson, AZ, Richard and wife, Marion of Geneva and their family and Sharon Kay Theobald of Lincoln, plus many nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service will be held 11:00 am Monday, March 1, 2010 at First Presbyterian Church.
Memorials in lieu of flowers to the Alzheimers Association of the Great Plains, 5601 South 27th Street, Suite 201, Lincoln, NE 68512, or a charity of your choice.
Visitation: 10:30 am to 8:00 pm on Sunday, February 28, 2010 at Roper & Sons Funeral Home, 4300 O Street, with family greeting friends from 4:00 – 6:00 pm.