Kenneth Ryle Blue

Kenneth R.  Blue, 84, longtime Ogallala resident, died Tuesday, April 19, 2016, at Sutherland Care Center.

Kenneth Ryle Blue was born September 2, 1931, in Omaha, Nebr., the son of Ely and Elsie (Wilder) Blue.  The family moved to Ovid, Colo. when Ken was five years old.  He attended schools there and also worked on area farms. 

He entered the Army on May 11, 1951 and was stationed at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland.  He served as an auto mechanic.  After being discharged in 1953 Ken returned to Ovid and was employed at area service stations.  He was a member of the Reserves until November 1956. 

On October 24,1955,  Ken married Mabel Geisert in Ogallala.  The couple made their home in Ogallala and then moved to North Platte where Ken worked for Neilson Chevy for a short time.

They relocated to Ogallala where Ken worked for the Searle Motors.  In the early 1970's Ken purchased the Westside Texaco station.    After Ken sold his business he was employed at Brunke Body Shop, Fuller's dealership, and Spruce Street Standard.  In his retirement years he assisted Bruce Wilson. 

On June 6, 1992, Ken married Henrietta O'Mara at St. Pauls Lutheran Church in Ogallala.  The couple continued to live in Ogallala.  He moved to Sutherland Care Center in April 2014.   Ken was a member of St. Pauls Lutheran Church.  His hobbies included auto repairing.

Preceding him in death were his parents, his wife Mabel in 1982, a sister Cheryl Craghead, and two brothers Duane and Keith.   

Survivors include his wife Henrietta Blue of Ogallala; two daughters Linda Blue of Omaha and Aleta McGinnis of Ogallala; one brother Neil (Joyce) Blue of Yuma, Ariz.; and two sisters: Dianne (Duane) Namuth of Sidney and Jeanine (LeRoy) Batt of Pine Bluffs, Wyo.; step-children:  Connie (Chris) deGanahl, William O'Mara, Patrick (Pam) O'Mara, and Randy O'Mara.   Also, three grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, four step-great-granddaughters, several nieces and nephews. 

The family chose cremation.  The Memorial Service will be Tuesday, April 26, at 10 a.m. in St. Pauls Lutheran Church with Rev. John Stubenrouch officiating.    The Service will be live streamed from drauckerfuneralhome.com, for those unable to attend.  Inurnment is in the Arthur Cemetery on Tuesday, at 1 p.m. in the Arthur Cemetery with military honors by the Keith County Veterans Organization.    Memorials have been established to St. Pauls Lutheran Church and to the Sutherland Care Center.

Online condolences may be sent  by signing the Guest Book.   Draucker Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.

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