Ruth K. Mahaffey, 86, of Blair, died Monday, Feb. 24, 2014, in Omaha.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at First Lutheran Church in Blair. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Graveside services will be in the Blair Cemetery.

Ruth K. Oberndorfer was born Dec. 8, 1927, in Potter, to Arthur W. and Martha (Schwartz) Oberndorfer. She grew up in the Potter area and attended school at St. Paul’s Lutheran Parochial School near Potter.

On Feb. 16, 1947, she married R. Harvey Benzel. He preceded her in death in 1967.

On Feb. 22, 1972, she wed Charles “Chuck” Mahaffey.

After the couple’s wedding, they made their home in Juno, Alaska, and Arlington, Va. After their retirement, the couple moved back to Nebraska, residing in Sidney and Blair. Her final years were spent at Brighton Gardens in Omaha.

She enjoyed traveling and gardening but especially enjoyed spending time with her family.

She is survived by sons: Richard (Monica) Benzel of Elkhorn, Robert Benzel and partner Gerry Sullivan of Omaha, Randall (Patti) Benzel of Omaha, Russell Benzel of Fairbanks, Alaska; stepson Steve Mahaffey of Fairbanks; stepdaughter Cher (Peter) Gunby of Bend, Ore.; several grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, R. Harvey Benzel and Charles “Chuck” Mahaffey; brothers Normund and Leonard Oberndorfer; sister Clarice Kuehn; stepsons Mike and Pat Mahaffey; and grandson Shawn Gunby.

Memorials may be directed to First Lutheran Church, Oaks Mission or the Ruth Oberndorfer Scholarship Fund.

Campbell-Aman Funeral Home in Blair is in charge of arrangements.

Published in Omaha World-Herald on Feb. 25, 2014

Mahaffey, Ruth K.

Age 86

Blair. Survived by sons; Richard (Monica) Benzel of Elkhorn, Robert Benzel and partner Gerry Sullivan of Omaha, Randall (Patti) Benzel of Omaha, Russell Benzel of Fairbanks, AK; several grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

SERVICES 10:30am Wednesday at First Lutheran Church in Blair. VISITATION one hour prior to services at the church. Burial in the Blair Cemetery. Memorials to First Lutheran Church, Oaks Mission or the Ruth Oberndorfer Scholarship Fund. CAMPBELL-AMAN FUNERAL HOME Blair, NE 402-426-2191 www.campbellaman.com

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~