The Superior Express -

Ruth A. Rahe, 77, of Belleville, Kan, died Aug. 13, at the University of Kansas Medical Center following a brief illness.

Ruth Arlene Ocobock was born July 11, 1944, at Mankato, Kan. Immediately following her birth, she was taken to the Sisters of St. Joseph in Concordia, Kan., with the instructions to the Sisters to "See that this baby has a Christian Home." They did. On July 12, 1944, she went to her forever home, the daughter of Loyd Ocobock and Lillie Maude (Hamilton) Ocobock on their farm at rural Republic, Kan. She was a much loved "only child."

Ruth was baptized at the United Brethren Church in Republic on July 24, 1944, by Rev. Lowell Herrick. She was there regularly, and according to her baby book, was a good baby through church.

Ruth attended the Republic Church, and in 1958, was confirmed there.

She attended District 69, Lake School for the first six years of her formal education. In 1956, the school closed and she was enrolled in Republic Grade School. She graduated from Republic Grade School with all the "common" school graduates in 1958 and attended Republic High School. She graduated in 1962. She attended Fairbury Junior College in Fairbury, and graduated in 1964 with an associate degree in elementary education. She started her teaching career in 1964 at the rural School in Ellis, Neb.

She married Kenneth Rahe at the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Republic on Aug. 8, 1965. Three children were born to this union: Robert, Rebecca and Randa. In June of 1966, she was confirmed at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Beatrice. The last years of her school teaching were at the St. Paul's Lutheran School in Beatrice.

In June of 1975, following the death of her father, the family moved to a farm north of Republic. They lived there until 1984, when they moved to an acreage north of Belleville.

Ruth was employed at the Belleville Public Library from 1984 until 1993, when she became employed at the Republic County Courthouse. In December of 1993, she was appointed register of deeds by the Republic County Republican Central Committee. She was elected to this position in November of 1994 and continued in this position until her retirement.

She represented the American Lutheran Church on the Board of Church People Concerned for many years. This board had the responsibility of keeping the facilities of Golden Bell Haven repaired, and functioning daily.

In 2020, she retired from the board of Church People Concerned.

Ruth is survived by her husband of 56 years, Kenneth; her children: Robert and wife, Katie; Rebecca and husband, Scott Dettmer; and Randa and husband, J.R. Rassette; nine grandchildren: Shayla Rahe, Justin and Jaden Rahe, Jarred Rahe, Jesse Dettmer, Cody Dettmer, Annie Dettmer and Trey and Tory Rassette.

Her funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m., today, (Thursday, Aug. 19) at the American Lutheran Church, Belleville, Kan., with PMA Al Urich, officiating.

Interment will follow at the Lake Cemetery, near Republic.

Friends could call from 1 until 8 p.m., on Wednesday at the Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, where the family greeted friends from 5 until 7p.m.

Memorials are suggested to the American Lutheran Church or the Golden Bell Haven (Church People Concerned).

Online condolences at http://www.bach elor-surber.com

Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, was in charge of the arrangements.