Twenty days after her 98th birthday, Ruby Mae Gysler passed away at 5:15 pm, April 27th, 2017 at Faith Lutheran Home in Wolf Point, MT. In her words, she went “to be with the Lord on high”.
Ruby was born April 7th, 1919, the middle child of John and Ivy Jenson in Underwood, North Dakota, which is now covered by Garrison Dam. Ruby grew up in Audubon, Minnesota where her father had farmed and worked on threshing crews with his brothers. During the Great Depression, he built WPA Roads, while Ivy nurtured the girls. Ruby graduated Salutatorian of her class in 1936 and hitchhiked to Morehead State for two years to earn a teaching degree after which she taught at a small school in Minnesota.
When World War II started, Ruby answered the call to build Boeing Airplanes in Seattle, our own Ruby the Riveter. Ruby’s favorite activity in Seattle was to go dancing with her friends and all the returning servicemen. At one of these dances, she met Kermit Gysler who had just returned from duty serving with the Army in the Pacific. After the war, they married in Seattle and had their first child, Shelley. A year later, they move to a small farm near Kermit’s hometown of Plentywood, where they had their second child, John. Kermit ran a delivery route for the Plentywood Creamery all around Northeastern Montana, and Ruby stayed home with the kids.
In the fall of 1965, Shelley went to college and Ruby, Kermit and John moved to Wolf Point, Montana, to open a Coast-to-Coast hardware store. Kermit loved hunting and sporting goods and with a background in engineering liked fixing things. Ruby was known for her housewares and gifts. Though the first years were challenging, their hard work and community involvement soon paid off and the store thrived. After 11 years, they built a new store on the north side of Main Street.
In early 1980s for Kermit’s health, they sold the store to their son and retired to Seattle leaving their hearts in Wolf Point. In Seattle, family visited as often as possible. Ruby enjoyed spending time with her younger sister, Goldie who also lived in Seattle. The oldest two grandchildren would also spend alternating summers with Ruby and Kermit. In 1991, Kermit passed away, and as promised, Ruby returned home. Back in Wolf Point, she said she was blessed to be a part of her grandchildren’s lives while they were growing up. As a former teacher and a fine student, Ruby had a wonderful way of helping her grandchildren. Ruby had an eye for style, was lovingly assertive and a peaceful refuge.
In 2010, Ruby decided it was time to go to Faith Lutheran Home. Once she moved to the home, she realized all her friends were there. She also enjoyed making new friends with the residents and the wonderful staff there. The Faith Lutheran staff provided exceptional tender loving care to her.
Ruby enjoyed baking pies, caramel rolls, krumkake and lefse to share with her family and friends. She loved her rose garden and giving roses to friends. Also, she liked surprising friends with carnations–“Ruby’s Special”–from Friesen’s floral. Ruby had many groups of friends, including the Presbyterian church, VFW Auxiliary, Widow’ Support Group, the employees and customers of the store.
Ruby is greatly missed by her family and friends. We like to think she is dancing with her husband in heaven.
Ruby was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and her sisters Leona and Goldie. She is survived by her daughter Shelley, son John and his wife Marguerite, her grandchildren Jackie, Suzy, Paul and Jenny and her great-grandson Little Kermit.
Service Schedule
Visitation
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Monday May 1, 2017
Clayton Stevenson Chapel
102 Custer Street
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Tuesday May 2, 2017
Clayton Stevenson Chapel
102 Custer Street
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Service Schedule
Visitation
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Monday May 1, 2017
Clayton Stevenson Chapel
102 Custer Street
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Tuesday May 2, 2017
Clayton Stevenson Chapel
102 Custer Street
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Rhonda Mason says
Rest In Peace Ruby. You was always good to everyone!
Janet Johnson Cron says
There are tears and smiles tonight as I hear the word of Ruby’s passing. There are few neighbors like Ruby and Kermit. Love to you… One of the Roy Johnson 5…..Janet AKA Tooti.
LaVerna DeLeon says
John and Family: Sorry to hear about your mom. She was a very neat lady.
Virginia Johnson Kinney says
So sorry to hear of Ruby’s passing. I remember so many good times visiting at their farm or when they came to visit us on the dairy farm. Shelly was a year behind me(Virginia Johnson Kinney) in high school & JK was Helen’s age. We always had lots of laughs when Dad (Roy Johnson) & Kermit got together. Mom (Pearl Johnson) and Ruby loved to visit together. I also remember Ivy Jensen.
Rober & Terry McAnally says
To all of Ruby’s family and friends, Condolences surrounding Ruby’s death and may the Creator continue to wrap loving arms around you all as you move through this time of grieving. Blessings to you all.
Larry Sem says
My heartfelt condolences to Ruby’s family during this difficult time. The Gysler family was very close to my family, growing up in Plentywood. Ruby was like a second mother to me in my early years. I remember fondly the weekends I would spend at their home on the outskirts of Plentywood. While Kermit was with us outside, teaching us gun safety, Ruby was inside cooking up some delicious lunch or dinner (often from wild meat). Great memories which have stayed with me all these years. RIP Ruby.
scott taylor says
John and family, Gail and I are sending our thoughts and prayers to you all….so hard to lose a Mom…..Scott and Gail Taylor
Maryt says
Thinking of the Gysler family at this special time to gather and have time together with fond memories of Ruby. My prayers and love to you all. Sorry not to be there in person.
Love,
Mary Beth Huether
Larry Johnson says
I will always remember the great times with my parents visiting Kermit and Ruby south of Plentywood. Kermit worked at the Powers Creamery and we delivered milk to them. Kermit was always ready to help in any way possible. There was always laughter and good times with Ruby cooking and chatting with Mom(Pearl) and Dad and Kermit kidding each other. She will be missed by all. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family.
Larry & Diane Johnson
Cam and Jodi Martin says
So sorry for your loss thoughts & prayers go out to you all from the Martin family. Cam,Jodi, Mecaila & Mandi Martin.
Darrell Ohman says
I am a younger first cousin of Ruby’s at age 82. I remember both Ruby and her mother Ivy always looked
prim and proper any day of the week. We enjoyed Ruby and Kermit’s trips to Minnesota where we would
visit them at Cousin Henry and Thelma’s summer place On Big Cormorant Lake. We also visited them in Wolf
Point and Seattle. Her son John and I are both cousins and good friends. John comes to Minnesota most
every summer and enjoy golfing together. May Ruby rest in peace in the hands of the Lord.
Sue (Watterson) Johnson says
Ron and I are so sorry to learn of Ruby’s passing. She was such a vibrant part of our community for years. Our thoughts and prayers are with all who loved her. May your sweet memories and your faith sustain you in the days ahead. Ron and Sue
Jonny BearCub says
John & Family – Keep the memories close and let memories be a balm to your hearts when you miss wonderful and friendly Ruby. As she enters Paradise, may Kermit sweep her off her feet and they dance across the Heavens.
Rick and Joann Heser says
We will miss Ruby. She always had a bright smile, so kind and loving. We are so sorry for your loss!
Diane Piane says
So sorry to hear of Ruby’s passing, but I believe she is in a better place now, dancing with the Angels & John!
Ruby was a good person, friend, wife, Mother, Grandmother & just recently was a good Great Grandmother.
Loved her…she will be missed!! Diane Piane
Mary Dillon says
I am so sorry for the loss of your mother and grandmother. It is comforting knowing that we will see our loved ones again. Know that I am praying for you during this difficult time God bless your family
Mary Dillon
wayne j. stein says
John and family: Sorry to here of Ruby’s passing. She was a kind and loving women that
I really like and who put up with John, Jerry, and my goofiness when we were teenagers. The best to all the family.
Wayne J.
wayne j. stein says
Dear John and family:
Sorry to here of Ruby’s passing. She was a kind and loving women that
I really like and who put up with John, Jerry, and my goofiness when we were teenagers. The best to all the family.
Wayne J.
wayne j. stein says
Dear John and family:
Sorry to here of Ruby’s passing. She was a kind and loving women that
I really like and who put up with John, Jerry, and my goofiness when we were teenagers. The best to all the family.
Wayne J.
Trudy Fox says
So sorry to hear of Ruby’s passing. She was a great lady, always had smile for me.
Bill and Kris Sampson says
John and family,
Bill and I are so sorry to hear of Ruby’s passing. We always enjoyed visiting with your mom and dad, they were both kind and generous people. I hope you and your family are well John…Wolf Point people are the best. God Bless.
Bill and Kris Sampson
Hal Holte says
John and Shelley: I extend my sympathy to you on the death of Ruby. She was a wonderful person who was nothing but kind and welcoming to the Holte clan there in Plentywood. I have great memories of our visits to your farmstead just south of town. My best to you and your families! Hal Holte
Laura Ricker says
Condolences to the family. I remember the talks with Ruby at her house. Her kindness and insight will not be forgotten. She was unique and I will miss her. God bless you all during this time.
Steven G. says
Her husband, Kermit, was my Dad’s first cousin. We lived in Williston, ND, so Plentywood, Montana wasn’t a far trip, so whenever my Dad, Ed, worked in Montana, he could spend a few hours with Kermit, just like he used to visit with Kermit’s Dad, Carl (Gustavson) Gysler. I met Kermit a few times, and only met Ruby once, but she was quiet and Kermit did most of the talking, and especially laughing. When Kermit laughed he didn’t hold back, and you had to laugh, too. The last time I saw him was when they visited me in California in 1989, or 1990. I had no idea that he passed so soon after, because he seemed to be to be in fine health. I still have the letters he sent to me. They were believers, so I’ll get to spend more time with them, shooting the breeze, when my time comes. I want to talk to his dad Carl again, too. He was a very interesting man. R.I.P. both of them.