Ruth Mae (Binggeli) Clegg

Ruth Mae (Binggeli) Clegg was born on January 29, 1919 at her family home near Colton, South Dakota. She departed this life on April 27, 2011 at the Bramlage House Transitional Care Facility in Manhattan, Kansas at the age of 92 years and 3 months.

Ruth was the eighth of nine children born to John and Pauline (Balsiger) Binggeli. As a young girl, she enjoyed helping her mother care for their large family and spent countless hours caring for her younger brother, Herbert, who passed away at the tender age of 7. The heartbreak of his early death never left her, and she could still recite from memory the text of his favorite story. She attended high school in Hartford, South Dakota, graduating with the class of 1937. Following graduation, she attended Augustana Teachers’ College in nearby Sioux Falls, graduating in 1939 with a teaching certificate.

Ruth then obtained a teaching position in a one-room country school; she dearly loved her students and kept in touch with many of them throughout her life. She was a gifted and creative teacher, as well as a talented musician. Since none of her sisters had displayed an interest in the piano her father purchased in 1915, Ruth thought someone should play it, and so learned to play as a young girl by taking mail-order piano lessons.

As a young teen, she served as accompanist for her Sunday School; her deep devotion to God and her love of music remained with her all through her life. Ruth worshipped through her music, and she served as the church organist for the Mankato Christian Church for more than 50 years. Additionally, she was always willing to serve the community by serving as accompanist for countless weddings and funerals, as well as church services at the local hospital.

In addition to her abilities as a musician, Ruth also composed religious music and lyrics. She played many of these original pieces during Sunday services, but never wanted them acknowledged or published. She was blessed with a gift for poetry as well, and in her retirement years, she enjoyed creating handmade greeting cards for family members and friends, writing in each one a verse created specifically for the recipient. Her sense of humor and originality were unmatched, and she took great delight in her creations.

Ruth had a deep affection for animals and was happiest when sharing her home with a pet. She enjoyed working in her yard and was also a knowledgeable bird-watcher, easily identifying birds by their song alone.

She met her future husband, Arden Clegg, in San Francisco in June, 1942. Originally from Mankato, Arden was there awaiting deployment to Europe during World War II. They corresponded during his absence and after his return, they married on October 25, 1945. To this union two children were born: Ronald Wayne Clegg and Donna Jean (Clegg) King. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1974.

Ruth was a loving wife and mother, and was also employed as a Certified Medication Aide at the Jewell County Hospital from 1969 until her retirement in 1988. She provided selfless, compassionate care for the residents, using only one sick day during the entire length of her employment. Following retirement, she continued to work part-time providing health care services to local families in need of a caregiver.

Ruth is survived by her daughter, Donna King, of Manhattan, KS. She was preceded in death by her parents and by her son Ron in 2009. She was also preceded in death by five brothers: Elmer, Howard, Alvin, Arthur, and young Herbert as well as three sisters: Hazel Shields, Helen Hall, and Edna Opolski. She leaves to mourn her passing a host of other family members and dear friends.

A memorial celebration of life services for Ruth Mae(Binggeli) Clegg will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 7th at the Christian Church in Mankato with Pastor Thaddeus Hinkle officiating. Mrs. Pat Grout was the organist, and Mrs. Lisa Goodheart sang “You Made It Rain For Me” and Mr. Kenny Rhea sang, “Beyond The Shadows.” Inurnment following at Mt Hope Cemetery in Mankato. The family suggests memorials to the Salina Rescue Mission, or to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Service arrangements were arranged by Melby Mortuary, Mankato, Kansas.