Ruby Westensee died July 7, 2017, at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Lynette and Tom Fisk. Ruby was born on a farm near Bruce on July 18, 1919, to Alma and Leonard Hall. She attended a rural school during her elementary years. She graduated from Volga High School. She then went to General Beadle College and earned her teachers certificate. She taught for three years in a rural school near her home.
She met and fell in love with Alvin Westensee. They were married on Nov. 9, 1940. They lived on a farm outside of Arlington for six years. During this time, they had two daughters, Adell Lenore, born 1943; and Gayle Noreene, born 1946. They moved to Clear Lake. Two more children were born in Clear Lake--Richard William, born 1952; and Lynette Kay, born 1954.
The family moved to Sioux Falls in 1957. She graduated from nursing school and worked as an psychiatric nurse for a number of years. They attended the First Baptist Church where Ruby became a deaconess. Ruby and Al retired and moved to Austin, Texas, in 1978. Here she found a calling in women’s Bible studies both as teacher and a leader. This ministry touched many lives.
A constant throughout the years was her devotion to God and family. She leaves behind her four children, five grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Margie Hall. Preceding her in death, is her husband Alvin, her brothers, Clarence, Wilbur, and Cecil and her granddaughter, Joy Theesfeld.
A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. on July 18, on what would have been her 98th birthday, at the Grace Outreach Family Church. The church is located at 20808 TX-71, Spicewood, Texas 78669.