Ruth E. Schopke

Ruth Elaine (Rohrs) Schopke, 87, of Wakefield, NE, passed away on April 7th, 2026. A memorial visitation will be held on Friday, April 17, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service starting at 7:00 p.m. at Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Wakefield, NE. The memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Salem Lutheran Church in Wakefield. Interment will be in St. John's Cemetery in Germantown, IA at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation. Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Wakefield.

Ruth was born in Paullina, IA, on July 18, 1938, to Harry and Helga (Paulsen) Rohrs. She was raised on a farm near Paullina with her four siblings. She attended country school in O'Brien County, IA, until the third grade and then St. John's Lutheran school in Germantown, Iowa, until high school. Following graduation from Paullina High School in 1956, she attended Methodist School of Nursing in Sioux City, IA, graduating and earning her degree as a registered nurse in 1959. She worked at various locations in Northeast Nebraska, with her favorite being in the surgery department, until her retirement at the age of 70.

Ruth was united in marriage to Harlan Schopke. Together, they raised four children, Mark, Paul, Heidi, and John. They lived on farms around Wakefield, NE, and Emerson, NE. Ruth and Harlan divorced after 29 years of marriage. Ruth enjoyed reading, dancing, gardening, canning food, cake decorating, playing cards, renovating her beautiful home, and spending time with her family.

‍Ruth is survived by her sons, Mark Schopke of Wakefield, NE, John (Jennifer) Schopke of Kearney, NE; daughter, Heidi (Steve) Swanton of Wentzville, MO; Daughter-in-law, Janet Schopke of Pender, NE; eleven grandchildren: David, Matthew, Tanner, Rachel (Noah), Sarah, Eric, Kyle (Ivy), Jed (Nicole), Luke (Dominique), Brody and Ellie; six great-grandchildren; sister, Joyce Craig of Paullina, IA; sister-in-law, Shirley Rohrs of Paullina, IA.

Ruth is preceded in death by her parents; son, Paul Schopke; brothers, Gerald (Gerolene) Rohrs, Gordon, Rohrs, and Wesley Rohrs; and brother-in-law, Howard Craig.