Ruthie A. Essink

Ruthie Ann Essink, 84, of Chino Valley, AZ, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 28, 2026.

Funeral Services will be 9:30 a.m., Saturday, August 8, 2026, at Levander Funeral Home in Albion, NE with Rev. Brian Ketelsen officiating. Interment will take place at Salem Lutheran Cemetery, rural Newman Grove, NE. Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Ruthie Ann Essink, daughter of Carl Edwin and Selma Olivia (Nelson) Olson, was born on October 29, 1941, and grew up at their farm home east of Albion. She had one brother Raymond, who was 10 years older. She attended school through the 8th grade at Voorhees Valley country school District 12 and graduated from Albion High School in 1959. During high school, Ruthie met Doyle Essink (the music teacher) when her parents signed her up for organ lessons in Lincoln, NE. After Ruth attended a couple years at Wartburg College, they were married on August 6, 1961, at Zion Lutheran Church in Albion, NE. Ruth and Doyle started their family in Omaha that eventually would grow to five children: Tim, Alice, Terry (lived 3 days), Cari, and Kirsten.

Over the years, Ruth taught many private piano and organ lessons, operated her Shaklee business, taught and accompanied singing at Sunday school, shuttled vehicles for a local dealership with Doyle, as well as played for church together for many, many years. In the early years, she and Doyle worked together teaching piano and organ at Renier’s in Omaha and gave several dual organ concerts. They also had a dance band called “The Crescendos” where they entertained at Winterset Inn in Plattsmouth, NE. Throughout their lives, they've lived in Nebraska, Iowa, and Arizona.

Ruth loved being with her family, church family and friends. Her life reflected her faith as she loved unconditionally. Some of her favorite things she enjoyed were playing music with Doyle, games with family, gardening and growing flowers, finding shapes in the clouds, birdwatching, learning the names of all the trees, plants and birds she could find, painting canvas and ceramics, and baking breads and sweets which she loved to enjoy and share.

Ruth is survived by her husband: Doyle of Chino Valley, AZ; four children: Tim (Sandy) Essink of Pacific Jct, IA; Alice Essink of Chino Valley, AZ; Cari (John) Popp of Chino Valley, AZ; and Kirsten (Ryan) Metchis of Prescott, AZ. She is lovingly remembered by her 14 grandchildren: Lorelei (Joe) Ahlemeyer; Lana Urteaga; Dakota (Liz) Essink; Trevor (Brooke) Essink; Matthew Essink; Halley (Bryan) Miller; Rudi (Jesse) Villegas; Markie (Taylor) Franklin; Austin (Rebecca) Popp; McKenna (Jimmy Metcalf) Popp; Logan Ryan Metchis; Craig Landon; Chris (Katie) Landon; Cory Landon; as well as 13+ great-grandchildren: Bon Fox and Oliver Ahlemeyer; Ruby and Ava Urteaga; Greyson and Georgia Essink; Charlotte LeBeau and Jameson and Lyla Essink; Lena and Gary Miller; Aubrey and baby Villegas; Mallory Franklin; and many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by their infant son: Terrance Ray Essink; parents: Carl and Selma Olson; brother Ray Olson; and sister-in-law: Dorothy Olson.

The family wishes to thank all those who have helped us and prayed with us these last difficult months, with a special thanks to the team at Maggie's Hospice who supported the whole family as well. Gifts may be given in her memory to the family to be designated later.