Ruby Meester

Ruby Meester, age 96 of Rock Rapids, IA died Friday, April 8, 2011 at Parkview Manor in Ellsworth, MN. Funeral service will be 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at the Zion Presbyterian Church in Ellsworth, MN with Rev. Calvin Hsu officiating. Burial will follow in the Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Ruby Irene Meester was born August 6, 1914 to Henry and Anna (Hass) Stockwell at East Sioux Falls, SD. She attended grade school in the country school near her home. She attended High School at Washington High for four years in Sioux Falls graduating in 1932. After high school she worked at the Woolworths Dime Store in Sioux Falls and also a grocery store. In 1936 she married Henry Meester and moved to Ellsworth, MN where she raised her three children. While living in Ellsworth she belonged to the Zion Presbyterian Church, PW, where she was president and treasurer. She belonged also to Royal Neighbors and Jolly Mixers Extension club and circle. She worked for Ray Burgs grocery store, sold Avon and various other part time jobs. In 1966 Henry and Ruby moved to Sioux Falls. Here she was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, and UPW Circle. She worked for the telephone company for a short time, Herman Raabie Mens clothing store, did volunteer work for Sioux Valley Hospital and various other part time jobs. In 1979 they moved to Rock Rapids, IA. Here she joined the United Methodist Church and belonged to church UMW and Ruth Circle. She was also a member of the Golden Age Club and the Freedom Club. While living in Rock Rapids she worked for the Lyon County Reporter for 8 years and also did volunteer work for Dinner Date and the Health Center. Survivors include her children, daughter, Marlene (Royce) Becker of Ellsworth, MN; son, Donald (Annette) Meester of Lakeville, MN; daughter, Janice (Billy) Wilson of Renner, SD; eleven grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild; brother, Rex Stockwell of Lennox, SD; sisters-in-law, Delpha Stockwell of Sioux Falls, SD and Tillie Meester and Rose Meester both of Ellsworth, MN; and other extended family members. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Henry Meester; three brothers, Reuben, Virgil and Harry; and one sister, Luella Onken.