1920
Ruby
2013
Ruby E.J. Ryen
January 18, 1920 — January 7, 2013
Click to view the Video Tribute for Ruby
Ruby Elizabeth J. Hammerud was born January 18, 1920, at home in Comstock, MN, to Iver and Gertrud "Jenny" (Monson) Hammerud. Ruby was raised in Comstock where she attended school. Her father died when she was two years of age, and Ruby left school early to help her family by working as a housekeeper for neighbors, where she established lasting friendships.
Ruby met the love of her life, Willard Brakke, and they were married June 12, 1940, in Comstock. They lived and farmed in Kurtz Township, Clay County. Four children were born from this marriage, Joanne, Roger, David and Doris. Willard died May 5, 1960, at forty-two years of age.
On August 26, 1963, Ruby married Lyle J. Ryen and they continued to live on her farm until 1975, when they built a new home on the Ryen farm.
Ruby was a wonderful cook and loved to entertain family and friends. She took great pride in her beautiful yard and flower gardens. Ruby was an active member of Hoff Lutheran Church, Rustad, MN, and was a longtime member of Clay County Homemakers. She loved all sporting events and was a very good bowler.
She and Lyle traveled extensively, visiting friends and family in Norway, Hawaii, and across the United States. Lyle died on January 5, 2003, and she remained on the farm where she cared for her yard and flowers, and entertained her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ruby entered River Pointe Retirement Center, Moorhead, MN, in 2010, where she made many new friends.
Ruby died peacefully on Monday, January 7, 2013, at Essentia Health, Fargo, ND, at ninety-two years of age.
Ruby is survived by one sister, Gladys Olson, Seattle, WA; four children, Joanne (Brian) Halverson, Baker, MN, Roger (Toni) Brakke, Pelican Rapids, MN, David (Sandy) Brakke, rural Moorhead, and Doris (Lance) Armitage, Canby, MN; grandchildren, Pamela (Dennis) Eastman, Matthew (Theresa) Halverson, Jayne (Pat) Rein, Todd, Staci, and Aaron (Leah) Brakke, Shane and Shannon Brakke, Shelly (Blair) Anderson, and Cheston and Kyle (Michelle) Armitage; fourteen great-grandchildren, Megan and Zachary Eastman, Evan, Paige, and Ann Halverson, Nicole, Nathan, and Lauren Halverson, Cullen and Ellie Rein, Anna Brakke, Paul and Gabriel Armitage, and Sophie Brakke; daughter-in-law, Brenda Halverson; and many nieces and nephews.
Ruby was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; three brothers, Leonard, Chester, and Earl Hammerud; and one grandson, Michael Halverson.
Visitation will be Friday, January 11, 2013, from 5 - 7 PM, with a prayer service at 7 PM, in Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead.
The funeral will be Saturday, January 12, 2013, at 11 AM, in Hoff Lutheran Church, Rustad.
Burial will be in Moorhead Memorial Gardens.
Ruby Elizabeth J. Hammerud was born January 18, 1920, at home in Comstock, MN, to Iver and Gertrud "Jenny" (Monson) Hammerud. Ruby was raised in Comstock where she attended school. Her father died when she was two years of age, and Ruby left school early to help her family by working as a housekeeper for neighbors, where she established lasting friendships.
Ruby met the love of her life, Willard Brakke, and they were married June 12, 1940, in Comstock. They lived and farmed in Kurtz Township, Clay County. Four children were born from this marriage, Joanne, Roger, David and Doris. Willard died May 5, 1960, at forty-two years of age.
On August 26, 1963, Ruby married Lyle J. Ryen and they continued to live on her farm until 1975, when they built a new home on the Ryen farm.
Ruby was a wonderful cook and loved to entertain family and friends. She took great pride in her beautiful yard and flower gardens. Ruby was an active member of Hoff Lutheran Church, Rustad, MN, and was a longtime member of Clay County Homemakers. She loved all sporting events and was a very good bowler.
She and Lyle traveled extensively, visiting friends and family in Norway, Hawaii, and across the United States. Lyle died on January 5, 2003, and she remained on the farm where she cared for her yard and flowers, and entertained her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ruby entered River Pointe Retirement Center, Moorhead, MN, in 2010, where she made many new friends.
Ruby died peacefully on Monday, January 7, 2013, at Essentia Health, Fargo, ND, at ninety-two years of age.
Ruby is survived by one sister, Gladys Olson, Seattle, WA; four children, Joanne (Brian) Halverson, Baker, MN, Roger (Toni) Brakke, Pelican Rapids, MN, David (Sandy) Brakke, rural Moorhead, and Doris (Lance) Armitage, Canby, MN; grandchildren, Pamela (Dennis) Eastman, Matthew (Theresa) Halverson, Jayne (Pat) Rein, Todd, Staci, and Aaron (Leah) Brakke, Shane and Shannon Brakke, Shelly (Blair) Anderson, and Cheston and Kyle (Michelle) Armitage; fourteen great-grandchildren, Megan and Zachary Eastman, Evan, Paige, and Ann Halverson, Nicole, Nathan, and Lauren Halverson, Cullen and Ellie Rein, Anna Brakke, Paul and Gabriel Armitage, and Sophie Brakke; daughter-in-law, Brenda Halverson; and many nieces and nephews.
Ruby was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; three brothers, Leonard, Chester, and Earl Hammerud; and one grandson, Michael Halverson.
Visitation will be Friday, January 11, 2013, from 5 - 7 PM, with a prayer service at 7 PM, in Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead.
The funeral will be Saturday, January 12, 2013, at 11 AM, in Hoff Lutheran Church, Rustad.
Burial will be in Moorhead Memorial Gardens.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ruby E.J. Ryen, please visit our flower store.
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