Ruby A. Schmidt

Obituary

Ruby Anna Tollefson was born on the family farm in Sibley Township, Sibley County, on September 7, 1923. She was the oldest child of Arthur and Myrtie (Franke) Tollefson. She was baptized at Norwegian Grove Lutheran Church by Rev. Strand and was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in rural Sibley County. Ruby was a graduate of the Gaylord High School, Class of 1941.

On November 22, 1946, Ruby was united in marriage with Arnold Henry Schmidt at Norwegian Grove Lutheran Church. After their marriage, they settled in St. Peter where Arnold worked for Ace Hardware and Ruby worked for the National Tea grocery. In 1952 the couple moved to the Tollefson family farm which they farmed until Arnold passed away in 1996. In 1995 Ruby and Arnold travelled to Hawaii to participate in the events commemorating the 50^th anniversary of the end of the war – Arnold served in the Pacific theater during WWII. In her retirement Ruby volunteered as a driver for Sibley County and also worked at the Treasure Haus in New Ulm. She remained on the farm until 2006 when she moved to a retirement community in St. Peter and later to Gaylord.

Ruby was a life-long member of Norwegian Grove Lutheran Church where she played an active role in the ladies Aid. She also sang in the choir for many years. Ruby loved gardening, cross-stitching, and reading. Most of all she loved caring for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Ruby is survived by her:
Children, Sandra Schmidt of Washington, DC,
                Gordon Schmidt and his wife, Sarah of Gaylord, MN,
                Dennis Schmidt and his wife, JoAnn of Gaylord, MN,
                Marlene Jilek and her husband, James of North Mankato, MN,
                Rhonda Stolt and her husband, Todd of Gaylord, MN,
                Blaine Schmidt and his wife, Jacqueline of Elkhorn, NE;
14 Grandchildren;
2 Step Grandchildren;
19 Great-Grandchildren;
Sisters-In-Law, Bernadine Messner of Brownton, MN,
                          Mary Ann Thiem of San Marcos, CA,
                          Viola Messner of Williamsfield, IL,
                          Marjorie Bucklin of Hutchinson, MN,
                          Gladys Gruendemann of Hutchinson, MN,
                          Dorothy Alsleben of Silver Lake, MN;
Brothers-In-Law, Leroy Siebenbuner of Mankato, MN,
                           Lyle Schmidt of Brownton, MN;
Many other relatives and friends.

Ruby is preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Myrtie Tollefson; husband, Arnold Schmidt; brothers, Merton and Charles Tollefson; sister, Fern Siebenbruner; sisters-in-law, Arline Lindstrand, Mildred Clapp, and Joyce Abbell; brother-in-law, Eldwin Schmidt; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Henry and Celina Schmidt.