Ruby Mae Ryan, 94, Albert Lea

Published 12:00 am Monday, December 8, 2003

The funeral service for Ruby Mae Ryan of the Good Samaritan Center, Albert Lea, formerly of Senior Court on Maplehill Drive, will be held at 11 a.m. Monday Dec. 8, at the Ascension Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. Richard Spande will officiate. Interment will be in the Geneva Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Sunday at Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea, and one hour before the service at the church.

Ruby died on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2003, at the Good Samaritan Center. She was 94.

She was born on Feb. 18, 1909, in Frazee, Minn., the daughter of Simon and May (Martin) Johnson. She graduated from Owatonna High School in 1927, and then enjoyed working at what is now Federated Insurance in Owatonna. On July 30, 1927, she married Clarence T. Ryan in Northwood, Iowa. Following their marriage they lived and farmed in Geneva, Clarks Grove, Glenville and then moved to Northwood in the mid 1940s. Ruby managed the Northwood Country Club for a few years during this time. In 1962, they moved to Albert Lea. Ruby enjoyed sharing her culinary talents by making salads for the Skyline Restaurant for more than 20 years.

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Even though Ruby enjoyed the jobs she had throughout her life, her heart was in her home. She loved being a wife, mother and grandmother and the warm and loving home she created will always be cherished. In her &uot;spare&uot; time she helped her husband with their huge garden and enjoyed visiting and spending time with people of all ages, especially her grandchildren. She was a member of the Ascension Lutheran Church where she was active in circle and Super Seniors.

Ruby is survived by five children: Lola (Gordon) Blake of Sun City West, Ariz., Lu Ryan (Faith) of Albert Lea, Delores (Bill) Cooper of Issaquah, Wash., Roger (Diane) Ryan of Chaska, Minn., and Betty (Ron) Mathews of Albert Lea; 10 grandchildren: Bonnie (Tom) Kennedy, Jim (Beth) Blake, Mike (Debby) Ryan, Dan Ryan, Sue (Steve) Anderson, Mary (Hans) Rotto, Julie (Lee) Knudson, Darcy Strand, David (Fawn) Harmon, and Bill Cooper; 16 great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law: Sylvia Ryan of Roland, Iowa, and Vivian Johnson of Lake Crystal; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Clarence, in 1994; a son, Gerald Ryan, age 3; a great-great-granddaughter; sister, Grayce Ryan; and two brothers: Harvey and Jay Johnson.

She enjoyed life and shared her loving spirit with her family and friends.

Ruby will be sadly missed by the many lives she touched.