Ruby May

Funeral services for Ruby Elaine May of Bertha were held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, November 7, 2009 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bartlett Township (rural Verndale) with Reverend Al Jeske presiding. Ruby passed away at the age of 81 years on Monday, November 2, 2009 at the Lakewood Systems Care Center in Staples. Ruby was born on October 5, 1928 at Clarissa to Roy and Clara (Olson) Stave. She was united in marriage to Charles Olson in 1945 and together they had 3 children. She was later united in marriage with Marvin Lloyd May on June 11, 1960 at the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Verndale and together they had a daughter. They have lived in Bertha for almost 33 years and Ruby was a mother, homemaker and active member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church and a lifetime member of the Ladies Auxiliary. Her hobbies included sewing, cooking, caring for her flowers and, together with Marvin, recycling glass windows into plates and decorations. She also enjoyed going out and dancing. Ruby was preceded in death by her parents Roy and Clara; brothers Russell and Gerald Stave; an infant sister and sister Carol Canfield; 2 brothers-in-law, 1 sister-in-law and nephews. She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Marvin; sons Lee (Anita) Olson of Portland, OR and Scott (Tina) Olson of Lubbock, TX; daughters Roxanne (John) Ireland of Portland, OR and Julie (George) Deiss of Wadena; 10 grandchildren, 6 step-grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and 14 step-great grandchildren; brothers Kessell (Barbara) Stave of Deer Creek, Ronnie (Sharon) Stave of Baldwin, WI, Curtis (Beverly) Stave of Bertha, and Darrell (Connie) Stave of Spencer, IA; and sisters Pearl Hoemberg of Staples, Opal (Clarence) Mertens of Staples, Delona Hoemberg of Bertha and Shirley (Martin) Duis of Spencer, IA. She is also survived by her brother-in-law Dale Canfield of Bertha, sister-in-law Delores Stave of Deer Creek and many nieces and nephews. Honorary pallbearers were Ruby’s grandchildren Lisa Dunn, Rebecca Larson, Rachel Ireland, Eric Olson, Michael Deiss, Jeffery Deiss, Shawn Olson, Robert Ireland, David Ireland and Katlyn Olson. Pallbearers were Jeff Hoemberg, Wayne Stave, Clyde Mertens, Randy Stave, Mark Hoemberg and Daniel Stave. Burial was in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery located at Bartlett Township (rural Verndale).

Ruby May

October 5, 1928 - November 2, 2009