Ruby Parker

Ruby Parker, 97, of Langdon, ND and formerly of Nekoma, ND passed away Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at Maple Manor Care Center in Langdon, ND.

Ruby Jenny (Norby) Olson was born August 25, 1915 at Kintyre, ND to Jon and Selma Norby. Ruby was 5 years old when her mother passed away. She was then legally adopted by Theodore and Gertrude Olson of Hampden, ND. She attended six years of rural elementary school in Storlie Township before continuing her education in Hampden and graduating from Hampden High School in 1933. Ruby attended Valley City State Teacher’s College obtaining a degree in elementary education. Ruby spent several years teaching in Billings (Haraseth & Wilhelmi) and Banner (Weaver)Township rural schools and was hired by Nekoma Board of Education as an elementary teacher.

Ruby married Charles Parker in 1942. They lived on a farm west of Nekoma and raised three children there- Tom, Wes, and Marjorie. After Tom and Wes were in college, Charles, Ruby and Marjorie moved to Nekoma. Ruby resumed her teaching career and retired in 1980. Charles passed away in February of 1991 in Mesa, AZ where they had spent several winters.

Ruby was an active member of Nekoma Lutheran Church and WELCA. She served various positions in the church, participated in the women’s groups, and taught Sunday School for many years. Ruby was a 4-H leader and contributed her variety of talents to numerous school and community events. She was known for her artistic abilities including china painting, cake decorating, and flower arranging.

Ruby is survived by sons Tom (Jayne) Parker of Langdon, ND and Wes (Lois) Parker of Castle Pines, CO; daughter Marjorie Routson of Nekoma, ND; brother Sid Norby of Keizer, OR; sister Inez Sather of Elmhurst, IL; brother-in-law Bill (Marilyn) Parker of Fargo, ND; sister-in-law Pat Parker; 5 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Charles, brother John Norby, and son-in-law David Routson.

Services will be held on Tuesday, May 7, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. at Nekoma
Lutheran Church in Nekoma, ND.

Visitation will take place on Monday,
May 6, 2013 from 5-7 pm at Brooks Funeral Home of Langdon, ND and for
one hour prior to service time at the church on Tuesday.

Interment-
Nekoma Cemetery