Passed Away - Ruby M. Nelson

Ruby M. Nelson

July 22, 1909 - October 31, 2010

Lake View, formerly of Sac City, IA

Visitation: 7-8:30 p.m., Thursday November 04, 2010 at Farber Otteman Funeral Home in Sac City.
Funeral Service: 10:00 a.m., Friday, November 05, 2010 at First Christian Church in Sac City.
Interment: Oakland Cemetery November 05, 2010 at Sac City,

Ruby Nelson, age 101, of Lake View, formerly of Sac City, IA, passed away Sunday, October 31, 2010, at Black Hawk Life Care Center in Lake View, IA.

Ruby was born July 22, 1909, the sixth child and first daughter to Edward and Martha (Schnell) Mauer. Her mother died when she was less than two years old. After a series of housekeepers, she was about five years old when she remembers her dad bringing home a lady she’d never met and telling her this was her new mama. Minnie was a wonderful mother to her and Ruby stated “she couldn’t have been better”. Unfortunately she became ill and died when Ruby was in her early teens. Edward married again and Ruby remembered her third mother as a “typical” stepmother, so Ruby was anxious to leave home.

Having four older brothers and many cousins (all boys), Ruby learned to be a tomboy. She had to play boy games or play alone. Ruby remembered, as a little tot, sitting on her dad’s lap at many card games. She developed a skill for card playing that lasted all her life. She held her own with the best, belonging to as many as five bridge clubs at one time. Ruby graduated from high school at 16 years of age. Until she was old enough to receive training to become a teacher, she found jobs as live-in help for new mothers—helping with housekeeping and child care. As soon as she was able, she taught country school for a couple of years. During that time she went on a blind date with friends and met a tall, dark, handsome man who immediately captured her heart. She and Andrew C. Nelson were married in 1929, and raised three beautiful children in very difficult financial times which she never liked to discuss. Lawrence was born in 1930, Norma in 1931, and Ronald in 1933. Andrew could usually find work with his good attitude and his team of Hazel and Mabel. Ruby sold eggs and chickens. They put in a garden, and they did without. Times were tough, but together they persevered. After the children were raised, Ruby became a Nurse’s Aide at the new Loring Hospital, a job she thoroughly loved and held for over 25 years.

Ruby was active in the First Christian Church, serving in many capacities. When a project needed help, Ruby was always available and willing. Her gift of hospitality was enjoyed by many. Goodies and treats always appeared, as if by magic, whenever someone stopped for a visit. Everyone was invited to “come and see me when you can” and made to feel most welcome when they did. She will be dearly missed by all those that knew and loved her.

Ruby was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Andrew C. Nelson; daughter Norma; son Ronald; son-in-law Dick Elijah; daughter-in-law Sandra Littlefield Nelson; all of her brothers; sisters-in-law; and many nieces and nephews. She is survived by her son Lawrence, daughter-in-law Nancy Lewellen Nelson of Boonville, MO; 10 grandchildren; eight of their spouses; 17 great-grandchildren with several spouses; and one great-great-granddaughter.

Share

Copyright (c)2007-2010 Curtis Bloes All Rights Reserved

Comments :
1. Keep it civil and stay on topic.
2. Some profanity will be allowed if deemed editorially relevant.
3. No harassment of private citizens will be allowed.
4. Criticism and praise of elected officials is encouraged.
5. Any handle that appears to be a real first and last name will be changed to the first name only unless it is a registered handle.
6. If your comment wasn't posted within a few hours, then it was probably deleted.