Ruth Louise Gregg

Ruth Louise Gregg, 73, of Omaha, Nebraska entered the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday June 11th, 2022 after suffering complications of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

Ruth was born September 24, 1948 to Dolores and Elmer Johnson in Omaha, Nebraska.

Ruth was a sharing, caring heart with outstanding artistic abilities that saturated her surroundings and impacted the lives of all who knew her. She graduated from South High in 1966. As a young woman, she worked at the soda fountain at the South Omaha Stockyards where she met the man who became the love of her life for the past 55+ years. She went on to have a career as an award winning cosmetologist which carried her through the ranks at multiple Hair by Stewarts locations and propelled her into becoming the proud owner of Petticoat Lane Salon and Gifts. She found beauty in almost everything, turning her into an avid collector of all things. She invested much of her time and talents in the lives of her loved ones and in the community she thrived in.

Ruth rarely hesitated helping someone out. Her mind never ceased in wanting to explore the world around her. She had a pattern of learning new things and freely sharing what she learned with others. She routinely opened her heart and home to create fun quilting retreats at the family farm in Elliot Iowa. Through the seasons, she contributed to the creation of hundreds of quilts through time spent working with oganizations such as the Omaha Quilters Guild’s Helping Hands, Project Linus, and the Quilts of Valor Foundation. Knowing her rare blood type was in demand, she made it a priority to become a regular donor resulting in an impressive amount of blood donated at the Red Cross. Since her early years, she has contributed to a variety of programs and projects at church…some of which were times at working with women at Project Hope and making the hand puppets “Zak the Frog” and “Claude the Dog” for Miss Jean on the beloved children’s morning show “Miss Jean’s Storytime.”

There was no questioning Ruth’s love for her family. Whether it be hour phone calls at two in the morning or two hour calls in the middle of the day, there was no hesitation in reaching out to talk her. Making clothes, costumes, quilts…you name it, she probably made multiple for one or more of her loved ones. At family gatherings, she was sure to show up with some fun craft to do. There was never a lack of good food to eat, she’d make sure of that. Late nights fueled by coffee and filled with laughter where the norm. She was an anchor in the storm, a light in the darkest of days.

Ruth was a beautiful heart and mind. Every step of the way, she directed her care as her ALS progressed. She endured, adapted, and kept hopeful every breath of the way. As the muscle weakness turned into a disabling paralysis, she continued to find ways to communicate. Unable to lift her head, her ability to speak taken away, and barely being able to inch her fingers around a pen, she would use hand gestures, tediously try to write on a dry erase or tap out a broken text to share her thoughts. Through it all, she was as witty and engaged. She was genuinely a special woman who had an uncanny ability to find happiness in the darkest of days. Her memories will be cherished and she will be deeply missed by all who had the honor to know her.

Survived by her loving husband, Bob Sr.; devoted children, Barbara Milliken (Tom), Bob Jr. (Julie), and Lisa Kneifl (Rick Donnelly); brother Dick Johnson (Joan) and sister Linda Phillips (Larry); her beloved grandchildren, Emma Adams (Nick), Matthew Kneifl, Gavin Milliken, Olivia Milliken, and Marley Gregg; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Kenny, sisters Gwen and Jane.

At the family’s request, the burial will be private and the decision to hold a memorial will be made at a later date.