Grand Island Daily Independent" [Grand Island, Hall Co. ,NE], Wednesday, 8 May 1918:

Mother of Large Family Passes to Great Beyond

The many friends of the family will regret to learn of the death of Mrs. J. A. Ruff, which occurred this morning at 6 o'clock at the farm home six miles north of Grand Island. Mrs. Ruff had been a patient sufferer for a number of years.

Mrs. Ruff, nee Miss Minna Beyer, was born on January 14, 1853, at Klenz, Pommern, Germany. She immigrated to America with her parents in her early childhood. The parents located at Bloomington, Ill., where she grew to womanhood. On November 26, 1870, she was united in wedlock to J. A. [John]
Ruff, in this city. The union was blessed with fifteen children, thirteen of whom survive, these being as follows: Rev. John Ruff, of Michigan; Mrs. [Emma] Rev. [Henry] Rottman, of Benton, Neb.; Charles L. Ruff, a teacher in Chicago; Rev. William Ruff, of Chase, Kan.; Mrs. Ida Stein, of Ravenna; Mrs. Mary Sieloff, of Grand Island; Mrs. Clara Quandt, of Grand Island; Mrs. Rosa Nau, wife of Rev. Nau, of Holstein, Neb.; Henry Ruff, of Palmer; Albert Ruff, of Grand Island; Frederick Ruff, who is now in the United States army and in California; Paul Ruff, of Grand Island; and Walter Ruff, of Minnesota.

Mrs. Ruff had reached the age of 65 years, three months, and twenty-two days. As the faithful helpmate of her husband and the tender guide of a large family of children, she played likewise a large part in the building up of one of the finest farm homes in Hall county. Mr. Ruff has a fine farm north of this city and many Grand Island people have had the pleasure of going through its beautiful groves and orchards.

The funeral will take place on Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock from St. John's Lutheran church in Lake township.
Interment will be made in the Grand Island cemetery. Friends are invited to attend. obit courtesy of Carol Page Tilson (#46543875)