Kathleen “Kap” Joyce O’Brien was born in a small cabin near Unity, Wisconsin on May 10, 1934 to Jim O’Brien and Lila Boyer O’Brien. After graduating from Loyal High School, Kap married Herbert “Chub” Rueth at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church on October 3, 1951. Within a few years, Kap had a bustling life with Herb and their ten children—seven boys and three girls—while running a dairy farm in Loyal, Wisconsin.

After a hunting trip to Idaho in 1967, Herb saw great potential that this state held for his family, so he decided to relocate his family and dairy operations. While Herb had the benefit of seeing what their future entailed out west, the move was made sight unseen for Kap and her ten kids, ages ranging from teenagers to toddlers. This move epitomizes exactly how much faith she had in him, her family, and the Lord. It was difficult for her to leave her family and friends from Wisconsin, but she did so with the kind of strength that she was known for—never letting anyone see her sweat.

In 1972, Kap and her family faced another significant challenge when the Idaho Fish and Game caused catastrophic flooding of their dairy property. This led to a lengthy court battle, with Herb and Kap eventually winning with help of the Idaho Supreme Court. Because this case spanned across a decade, the local newspapers often reported on the details of the case, and they documented the Rueths’ triumph of converting their new property, a barren hill, into a flourishing dairy. While the newspapers frequently credited this accomplishment to Herb, he made sure the world knew who made everything possible for their family, stating in one of the articles, “Kap’s kept everything together through the tough times. She’s the wheel that keeps everything turning.” And that’s just who Kap was—a devoted woman who kept everything together for everyone she loved. Kap lived an exemplary life of service to her family and her faith, and may she continue to be an example for all of us.

Kap will be greatly missed by her ten children: Charles (Brenda) Rueth, Gerald Rueth, Shelia (Randy) Keith, Sharon Rueth, Randall (Jackie) Rueth, Douglas (Sandy) Rueth, Fredrick Rueth, Raymond (Vickie) Rueth, Norman (Jody) Rueth, and Shelby (Clint) Koplin. Her children also brought her 22 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren—and counting. Her family also include those who she considered to be like her own children, including Santiago (Kristen) Guerricabeitia and Kyle (Laura) Nolder. Kap also leaves behind four of her siblings: Wayne O’Brien, Pat (Bill) Lindner, and Ron (Kay) O’Brien, and Rebecca O’Brien. She will also be missed by her dear friends: Lorie Weilmunster, Geri Peterson, Anona Shupe, Vicki Mason, and Carmela Ramirez.

Kap is preceded by her husband Herb of 74 years, her parents, Jim and Lila O’Brien; two of her brothers, Richard and Jim (Pat) O’Brien; her daughter-in law Anita Rueth; and two of her grandsons, Craig Rueth and Dustin Chant. She is also preceded by her in-laws, Leo and Agnes Rueth, her sister-in-law Nancy O’Brien, and her siblings-in law: Bernard “Bun” (Marjorie) Rueth, Edward “Eddie” (Florence) Rueth, Patrick (Carol) Rueth, Mary Ann (Frank) Gleichsner, Jayne (Lavern) Kolbeck, and twins Joseph and John Rueth, who passed at birth.

A rosary will be held in Kap’s honor on Friday, December 19th at 6:00 pm at St. Bridget of Kildare Catholic Church in Nyssa, OR, with visitation beginning at 5:00 pm. The service will be officiated by Father Anish Philip and Father Jose Thomas Mudakodiyil at St. Bridget’s on Saturday, December 20th at 11:00 am, followed by a meal at the church’s hall, and then the burial at the Parma cemetery at 2:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Bridget of Kildare in Nyssa, OR. Kap’s family is also grateful for the care provided by the Horizon Home Health and Hospice care team.

“The Wheel I See” by Douglas Rueth

I can still remember a time, and from time to time as well, my father calling my mother Wheel. Why I couldn’t tell. But as time passed on, I was able to see my mother making our world go ‘round with a touch of ease.

Made from hardened steel but as smooth as glass, holding us kids like spokes of a wheel down any kind of path. While in the center like bearings and hub, my father moving together with the wheel together with all ten of us. Even now as I look back to then, I clearly see the wheel and hub holding together ten spokes, kids just like me. The roads we traveled are many indeed. We all learned what we could even when picking up speed.

But what I, myself, see is the best in the past, well at least from where it is during this Easter fast. Still pride fills my smile looking over the miles, hard and sometimes long. Most were fun and timeless as they came along. But as we grew we held ourselves together with spokes, hub, and wheel. Our lives made a history blessed with love and is that way still.

Because of the love of this great family—spokes, hub, and wheel—it has, and never will be, weaker than strong. Thanks to our parents, Chub and Wheel.