Minerva was the daughter of Albert Louis Powers and Candes A "Sina" (Miller) Powers. She was my Great Grandmother. The following is her obituary from The Ashland Gazette, published April 23, 1947.

"FUNERAL AT MEMPHIS
FOR MRS. RUDIGER"

"Miss Mernia (sic) M. Powers, daughter of Samuel (sic) and Sani (sic) Powers, was born Dec. 19, 1878 at Ithaca, Nebr., and died the afternoon of April 14, 1947 in Omaha, at the age of 68 years, 3 months and 25 days.

Her parents, two sisters, one brother and a son, Earl, preceded her in death.

She was given in marriage to Paul Rudiger, August 3, 1898 at Ashland. Rev. Hackney performed the ceremony. To this union eleven children were born: Earl, Gladys, Lawrence, Glenn, Charles, Irene, Lucille, Evlyn (sic), James, Alveria (sic) and Donald.

Mrs. Rudiger grew to young womanhood in the Ithaca community, her first home being a sod house. She was a member of the Methodist church from her youth. Upon moving to Memphis she transferred her letter to the Memphis church. She had also taught a Sunday school class in the United Brethren church. She was a member of W.S.C.S. of the Memphis church, and was active in the church until the time of her death.

Mrs. Rudiger was a beautiful personality, a wonderful wife and mother, and one who seemed not to possess any evil selfish ways. Her church and the fellowship it offered meant most that she could ask or think. She loved her family, the community in which she lived and the friends. God was personally real to her and she was true to Him.

She leaves to mourn her loss: her husband, Paul; the children, Mrs. George J. Bryan, Omaha; Mrs. H.O. Shonge (sic), Fort McCoy, Fla.; Mrs. Lucille Osterberg, Omaha; Mrs. Peter Tomanio, Omaha; Mrs. Lyle Olson, Bell, Calif.; Lawrence, Clay Center; Glenn, Bell, Calif.; Charles, Omaha; James, Sterling, Ill.; Donald, Omaha; twenty-three grandchildren and the many friends.

The funeral services were held at 2:00 o'clock Thursday afternoon, April 17, at the Memphis Methodist church, with Rev. Walter E. Neth officiating. The music was furnished by Mrs. Edward Scheuneman, Merna Jean Scheuneman, Dorothy Fredrickson and Mrs. Brock Smith. Mrs. Mary McInerney was the pianist.

The pallbearers were: Charles Stransky, Claude Smith, William Grauerholz, Otto Quass, Dion DeFoil and Harold Grauerholz.

Burial was made in the Ashland cemetery."