Ruth Louise (Otto) Laughlin

Ruth Louise (Otto) Laughlin, 89, passed away May 22, 2022. Ruth was born September 2, 1932, at home on a farm in rural Persia, lowa, the first child of Herman Frederick Heinrich Otto and Verna Irene (Martens) Otto. She was followed by four brothers .... Norman George, Robert Walter, Ronald Eugene, and Duane Herman Otto. Ruth attended, was baptized, and confirmed at Persia's Trinity Lutheran Church. She attended school from Kindergarten through High School at the Persia Public School.

After graduation in 1951, she moved to Omaha, Nebraska, and immediately began her career as a Bookkeeper for the Eppley Hotel Company chain of hotels. Working out of The Logan Hotel, Ruth continued in this role for five years, until the Sheraton Corporation bought the company. On the afternoon of her final day, she was offered a job in the Accounting/Payroll Department at Union Pacific Railroad Headquarters. She accepted this position and remained there for the next 36 years, retiring at the end of August in 1992.

In January of 1961, she met the love of her life, Richard (Dick) William Laughlin, while attending a dance at The Music Box Dance Hall in Omaha. They had such a nice time that evening, they decided to go see a Hockey Match together the following night. At this event, Dick was fortunate enough to win a free pair of tickets to yet another Hockey Match, to which he invited Ruth to spend time with him once again. From this point on, they became inseparable from one another, and were rarely apart ever again. On July 15, 1961, she and Dick were married at the First Lutheran Church in Omaha.

Ruth and Dick shared many interests and adventures together. One of their greatest joys was traveling throughout the United States and the world. Their travels took them to all 50 states multiple times, Canada, Mexico, and, ultimately to a total of 39 foreign countries. While these trips took them to many exciting places, one of their very favorite locations was Switzerland .. where they found the Matterhorn Mountain to be exceptionally breathtaking. They also considered Alaska to be one of the most beautiful and majestic places in the world, and visited there on several occasions.

Their passion for wildlife and nature prompted them to become avid supporters of the Henry Doorly Zoo, Fontenelle Forest, and Lauritzen Gardens. They also shared a love for the arts ... and attended many productions at The Orpheum Theatre, The Holland Center, The Strauss Performing Arts Center - UNO, and The Arts Center at lowa Western - IWCC. They also spent many happy moments watching the Omaha Royals play at Rosenblatt Stadium and attending countless Creighton Bluejays and Omaha Mavericks Basketball Games.

Ruth is preceded by her parents; brothers, Norm, Ron, and Duane; sister-in-law Connie (Henneman) Otto; and sister-in-law Kay (Spencer) Otto. Ruth is survived by her husband of nearly 61 years, Dick; her brother, Bob; her sister-in-law Barb (Homann Otto) McGuire; numerous loving nieces and nephews; and many caring friends.

Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM at Pacific Hills Lutheran Church (1110 S 90th St, Omaha, NE 68124) on Wednesday, May 25, 2022. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the funeral service, also at the church. Internment in Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will direct memorials.