Ruby Severtson, 97, Albert Lea
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, January 9, 2008
A celebration of life service for Ruby Meta Louise (Schneider) Severtson will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church at 10:30 a.m. Thursday. Visitation will be held one hour before the service at the church. Interment will be at Hillcrest Cemetery.
Ruby passed away on Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008, at St. John&8217;s Lutheran Home at the age of 97 years, 4 months and 12 days.
A special thanks and appreciation from Ruby&8217;s family to her granddaughter Darlene for caring for Ruby her last days.
Ruby was born on Aug. 25, 1910, in Conger, to William and Elsie (Janke) Schneider. She attended school in Conger and 241 County School in Pickeral Lake Township. Ruby was a life member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Albert Lea.
She married Carl John Severtson on May 11, 1929, in Albert Lea. That union was blessed with four children, Cecil, Beverly, Ross and Larry.
Ruby worked at Hotel Albert in Albert Lea for 29 years. During this time span in the fall of 1942, the kitchen staff at Hotel Albert prepared food for an 8 week period for military personnel who had flight training at the Armory in Albert Lea. This was a navy V-5 Program. The hotel also prepared food for students of St. Thomas College during the summer.
Later Ruby co-owned Don & Ruby&8217;s in Lake Mills, Iowa, for 20 years with her companion of almost 40 years, Donald Anderson, Ruby retired at the age of 72. Together Ruby and Don spent many winters following their retirement at McAllen, Texas, and the summers at Lake Milacs.
Ruby loved cooking, collecting dolls, playing cards, being with her family and baby sitting.
She is survived by her children Beverly Estes of Northwood, Iowa, Ross and Ruth Ann Severtson of Hayward and Larry Severtson of Albert Lea; grandchildren, Darlene Tomlinson of Albert Lea, Marilyn and Gene Gentz of Forest City, Iowa, Bonnie and Richard Brevig of Northwood, Iowa, Nancy and Dennis Sinoski of Little Falls, David Estes of Little Falls, Alan and Ann Estes of Albert Lea, Jeffrey and Janet Severtson of Plymouth, Stacia and Mark Schumaker of Glenville, Sandin and Lisa Grasdalen of White Bear Lake, Chad and Nicky Severtson of Albert Lea, and Jason Severtson and fianc/e Laurie Cariveau of Woodbury; 26 great-grandchildren; great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Ruby was preceded in death by her parents; infant son, Cecil; husband, Carl Severtson; life companion, Donald Anderson; and sisters and their husbands, Florence and Helmer Matheson, Viola and Ray Morrison, Bernice and Chester Leschefske, Gladys and Joe Dixon and brothers Richard and Jeanette Schnieder and Harold (Bud) Schneider; son-in-law, Maynard Estes; grandson Wally Anderson Jr.; and great-granddaughter, Danielle Severtson.
Pallbearers will be grandsons David Estes, Alan Estes, Jeffrey Severtson, Chad Severtson, Jason Severtson and Sandin Grasdalen. Honorary pallbearers will be granddaughters, Darlene Tomlinson, Marilyn Gentz, Bonnie Brevig, Nancy Sinoski and Stacia Schumaker.
Ruby will be missed for her blazing red hair, her thoughtfulness and always being there for those who needed her. Her nickname that Donald Anderson gave her of &8220;Ruby Doob&8221; always brings a smile to those who loved her very much.
Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly and leave the rest to God.
Thanks for the long life you spent with all of us; you truly will be missed as you were loved very much.