Ruth M. Gillan, 90, of Central City, died on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at Accura Healthcare in Fullerton.

Memorial services was held on Saturday, August 22, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at Solt-Wagner Funeral Home in Central City with Pastor Francis Kinyua officiating.

Burial of ashes was held at a later date.

Memorials are suggested to the family to be designated at a later time. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.soltwagnerfuneral. com.

Ruth was born on October 14, 1935 in Central City to Leo and Deva (Lindgreen) Ellison. She grew up in the Central City area and graduated from Central City in 1953. Ruth then attended colleges at Kearney State and Central Community College in Hastings and Grand Island.

She was united into marriage to James D.

Gillan in 1954 in Central City. The couple started on the farm then moved to North Hollywood, California. In 1958, they moved back to the farm and raised their kids.

In 1981, she moved back to California. She was a teacher at a one-room schoolhouse, District 51 and over the years, she worked for Bank of America, Security Pacific, and Cross Road Motors.

Ruth was a member of the United Methodist Church in Central City and a twenty-five-year member of Beta Sigma Phi international philanthropy sorority.

She was also a member of the Daughters of The American Revolution, Betsey Hager Chapter in Grand Island and Colonial Dames of the 17th Century, George Morton Chapter in Grand Island.

Those left to cherish her memory are her son, Kenton (Chelle) Gillan of Central City; daughter, DeAnna Gillan Way of Central City; grandchildren, Emily (Blake) Pfeil of Omaha, Isabella (Jonah) Peterson of Milford, and Katrina Gomez of Omaha; great grandson, Merritt Peterson; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Jarold; sister, Shirley Jean; and sonin- law, Tim Way.

The Republican-Nonpareil| August 27, 2026