Ruth Ellen Leininger Mundt was born on a farm near Arcadia, NE September 29, 1928, the first of six children of William A and Alma McCall Leininger. She attended Arcadia Public Schools and graduated High School in 1946. Following graduation, Ruth worked locally as a waitress and grocery clerk. She then moved to Kearney, NE where she worked as a housekeeper and nanny for a prominent Kearney family.

Seeking adventure and at the urging of Aunts and Uncles in Boise, ID, Ruth moved to Boise in late 1949. Her train ride to Boise coincided with the Great Blizzard of 1949. The train she was riding on was stranded outside of a small town in western Wyoming, and local townspeople helped evacuate the people on the train to a shelter at the high school to wait out the historic blizzard. Accordingly, while hardships were endured across a wide swath of the Plains States due to the storm, Ruth related many tales of fun, games, good food and dancing at the gymnasium they were stranded at. One of the many times throughout her life she was blessed with good fortune.

Ruth found work in Boise at New York Life and remained there a couple years but, grew homesick for NE and moved back to Lincoln, where she got a job at Hompes Tire Company. It was during this time period, she met the love of her life. Ruth and Leon R Mundt were married November 15, 1951 and lived in Lincoln, and York, NE prior to moving to Deshler where they raised their two sons David E and Douglas D. After the boys were in school Ruth worked for the NE Security Bank in Deshler, where she reached the position of Assistant Cashier. After the boys both graduated high school Leon and Ruth lived on a farm they owned west of Arcadia, NE and then moved to the farm Leon had been raised on near Crete, NE in 1980. They remodeled the original farmhouse and later were awarded Aksarben's Pioneer Farm Family for the farm being in the same family for over 100 years.

Leon and Ruth moved to Crete, NE in 1995 and remained there the remainder of their lives. They were active members of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Crete for many years.

Ruth is survived by David's wife, Amy Mundt of Littleton, CO; Son Douglas and wife Dawn of Sioux Falls, SD; Grandson Jarod D Mundt and wife Stacey of Fort Collins, CO; granddaughter Julie C Rohrs and husband Jared of Lincoln, NE; Grandson Justin D Mundt and wife Lauren of Broomfield, CO; Great Grandsons Reef and Ayrton Rohrs, Lincoln, NE; great granddaughters; Kenadie and Mikayla Mundt, Broomfield, CO; sister Retta Mae Bettenhausen, Lincoln, NE; brother Ronald Leininger and wife Mitzi; Lexington, NE; sister Shirley Petersen, Grand Island, NE; sister Carol Zikmund, Columbus, NE; numerous nephews, nieces and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Leon; son David; brother; William B. Leininger, brothers-in-law Dale Bettenhausen, Ron Petersen, Douglas Zikmund.

After spending the last five years of her life at The Gardens Assisted Living facility in Crete, NE, Ruth went to join all the Saints bringing Glory to our Lord and Savior in her Heavenly Home on May 8, 2023. Funeral Services May 15, 2023, 10:30 a.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Crete, NE with Reverend Ron Benson presiding. Committal at Kramer Community Cemetery immediately following the service. Lunch provided at the Church following committal at cemetery. Kuncl Funeral Home, Crete, NE handling all arrangements.

Memorials to Orphan Grain Train and the Family.