Ruby Olson

Ruby C. Olson, 82, of Harpers Ferry, IA, died Friday, June 24, 2016, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon, IA. A celebration of life will be held Monday, June 27th, at 11:00 AM at Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waterville, IA, with Pastor Ken Kimball officiating. Burial will be at the church cemetery. Friends may call from 9:00 AM until the time of services at the church on Monday. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to: Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon, Hospice of Crossing Rivers Health in Prairie du Chien, WI, Lutheran World Relief, the Salvation Army, or to Lutheran Bible Translators.

Ruby Carol Olson was born July 24, 1933, in Churchtown, IA, the daughter of Archibald Thomas and Jennie Olivia (Peterson) Uren. She attended and graduated from Lansing, IA schools; after high school Ruby worked for Rethwisch Lumber and the Lansing button factory. On September 7, 1952, she married Lloyd Alf Olson at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Lansing. The couple lived in the Waterville, IA, area and on the home farm in Harpers Ferry, IA. Besides raising their children, Ruby also did bookkeeping and other duties with Lloyd at Olson Brothers Sawmill.

She was a very devoted member at Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waterville; she and Lloyd were church custodians and caretakers of the cemetery. Ruby was on many church circles and boards, was the church secretary, taught Bible study and Sunday school, and was known as the "premier Bible teacher" at Old East. She loved flowers and gardening, playing euchre, quilting, and traveling. Ruby made trips to Norway, Hawaii, Florida, California, Arizona, and northern Minnesota. Ruby was also an avid reader, sold Avon, and was a census taker for a while. Ruby loved her family and always made sure to attend her grandchildren's activities. She was a very giving person, volunteering for hospice and caring for ill family members. Ruby liked to bake and for Christmas, would bake care packages for the neighbors.

Ruby is survived by her children: David (Veronica) Olson of Harpers Ferry and Deborah (Cliff) McElroy of Manchester, OH; five grandchildren: Steven Hill, Chad Olson, Janet Olson, Mandy (Steve) Hammel, and Jeff Haas; seven great-grandchildren: RyLee, Marquis, and Maxwell Olson, and Cloee, Madison, Trey, and Jayce Hammel; a sister Joyce Brennan of Lansing; sister-in-law Amy Ferris of Burlington, IA; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Lloyd in 2011; and two sisters: Shirley Koenen and Dorothy Van Brocklin.

The family sends a special thank you to Veterans Memorial Hospital staff and Dr. Schwartz.

Honorary casketbearers are Ruby's grandchildren and great-grandchildren.