64592_Ruby M._Green

MASON CITY | Ruby M. Green, 96, of Mason City, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013, at Heritage Care Center. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013, at Grace United Methodist Church, 200 14th St. N.W, with the Rev. Steve Hansen officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be at the church from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday. Memorials may be directed to the Ruby M. Green memorial fund or Grace United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com.

Ruby was born on Sept. 27, 1917, in Sullivan County, Mo., the eleventh in a family of 12 children born to John and Mary (Norris) Walters. Home for Ruby was the family farm, and as a youngster she attended school in Sullivan County. She grew up under the sound of the gospel as preached by her granddad, Thomas Henry Walters, and professed faith in Christ at the age of eight. Some years later she was baptized in believers baptism.

Ruby moved to Iowa in 1937, and on Aug. 31, 1940, she was married to Wendell “Pat” Green. The couple was at home in Story City, until Pat entered the Navy in 1944. During his enlistment, Ruby moved the young family to Mason City. Four children were born to Ruby and Pat, two sons and two daughters.

Ruby~s church home in Mason City was Grace Evangelical United Brethren Church, which later merged with the Methodist church and became Grace United Methodist. She was an active member of her church all of her adult life and served faithfully in various offices and committees over the years. She was active in the church Circles, and especially enjoyed a weekly Bible study group. She will be greatly missed.

Ruby was devoted in her jobs of wife and mom, the welfare of her husband and children always her first priority. She possessed excellent managerial skills, and was a firm believer in the importance of a well-run home. She sewed extensively for her family, and also designed and hand-quilted many patchwork quilts. Her quilts were never sold, but given to those she loved.

Ruby was also an excellent cook. She liked to invent new variations, and was always pleased when asked to share her recipes and expertise. She was an avid reader on many subjects, but especially liked stories that were true to life and uplifting and encouraging. She enjoyed music and encouraged her children to develop their musical talents.

Ruby enjoyed having family around her, her many brothers and sisters as well as her children and grandchildren. She was a great story teller and shared countless narratives of family, friends and neighbors who shared her growing-up years in Missouri.

She always looked forward to the Walters family reunion, and attended every summer as her health permitted. She also possessed an excellent memory, and was a valued team member in family games of Trivial Pursuit.

She is survived by her husband of 73 years, Wendell “Pat”, her son John and daughter-in-law Maxine of Mason City, her son Joe of Des Moines, her daughters Annette and Nancy of Mason City, her grandchildren Jeff, Tony, January and Heath, her great-grandchildren Jason, Pete, Jordan, Jade, Jacob, Leah, Jessica, Heather, Scott, Elizabeth, Hunter, Cierra and Piper, plus great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Ruby is preceded in death by her parents, six brothers (Everett, Tom, Carl, Raymond, Gilbert and Joe), five sisters (Maude, Fern, Berniece, Pearl and Opal), and two grandchildren (Hans and Lee).

Major Erickson Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

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