Ruby Helgeson, 90

Published 8:31 am Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Ruby Helgeson, 90, died on Sept. 3, 2017, at her home in Austin, Minnesota.

Ruby was born on March 27, 1927,  in Austin. She was the second child of Alfred and Emma (Mensink) Severson. She graduated from Austin High School where she was active in girls sports. After high school, she moved to Mason City, Iowa, where she met and married LuVerne Helgeson on July 4, 1947. They lived in Kensett, Iowa, where Ruby spent her working years in various manufacturing facilities. While in Kensett, she contributed many hours of volunteer service for the  VFW Auxiliary and for the community.

Upon retirement and LuVerne’s passing, she moved to Apache Junction, Arizona, for 10 years. While in Arizona she traveled with friends to destinations such as Alaska, Hawaii and Norway. At this time she also took up lifetime exercise of swimming and learned woodcarving, which was on her bucket list. She moved back to Northwood to be near family and friends.

Ruby is survived by a daughter, Barbara (William) Billings, Massena, New York; son, Benny (Janice) Helgeson, Spring Valley, Minnesota; sisters, Ardith (Carl) Vassey, Janice (Duane) Schaffer and Cheryl (Rusty) Deets; sister-in-law, Joanie Severson; grandchildren, Amy Banker, Jake Billings, Beth Wilson, Luke Helgeson, Jesseriah Helgeson, Bobbi Jo Helgeson and Zachery Young; great-grandchildren, Anndreah Billings, Amy Sky Capozzi, Nancy Helgeson, Evan Helgeson and Lacey Helgeson; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, LuVerne; son, Robin; three brothers, Ronald, Myron and Harlan; four sisters, Dorothy (Jack), Muriel (Donald), Carol (David) and Delores.

The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017, at Bethany Lutheran Church, Kensett, with the Rev. Tom Martin officiating. Burial will be in the Kensett Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to service at the church.

Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home of Northwood, Iowa, is in charge of arrangements.