Ruby Jane Drusch age 96 took the hand of her Lord on April 17, 2023 while at the Ridgeview Hospital, Waconia, Minnesota.
Ruby was born November 7, 1926 at the family home in Middleville Township rural Howard Lake, the daughter of Awalt and Frieda (Stueven) Birkholz. She was baptized on January 13, 1927 at their home by Pastor C.G. Seltz. A lifelong member of St. James Lutheran Church, Howard Lake, she was confirmed in her faith on March 17, 1940 by Pastor E.N. Seltz.
She received her elementary education at Vannurden Country School and St. James Lutheran School, graduating from Howard Lake High School as a member of the class of 1944.
On November 9, 1947, she was married to Raymond Schmieg at her parents’ home by Pastor Theo. Melinat a day later than planned because of a severe snowstorm. They made their home in Howard Lake where they ran a trucking business and she took pride in being a homemaker. Their marriage was blessed with three children. As the children grew older and they sold their business, Ruby found employment at Terlinden’s Our Own Hardware Store.
Life took a change when her husband of 29 years, Ray passed away in May of 1977.
Ruby was a strong, God-fearing woman. She was a faithful member of St. James Church serving as the Sunday School Secretary, singing in the choirs, active in the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League and on various committees and guilds.
Her life took another change on August 16, 1980, when she married Don Drusch. Together they worked at Donnie’s OK Hardware Store. Ruby loved her blended family. She thoroughly enjoyed cooking and baking for family get-togethers and always made more than enough for everyone. Going up north to their cabin on the lake were always memorable times together. Although Ruby was not an outdoorsman, she loved spending time there, cooking meals and making sure everything was in order for the fishermen and hunters. For years she looked forward to Wednesday nights out, when they would meet friends for conversation and dinner. Playing dominoes with family and friends was a favorite pastime of hers, playing just days before her passing.
Ruby is survived by her husband of 42 years Donald Drusch; children Barry (Teresa) Schmieg, Vicki (Bradley) Schultz and Scott Schmieg; step-children Steve Drusch, Connie (Bob) Svendsen, Joe (Karen) Drusch, Debbie (Michael) Vialpando, Dan Drusch and Donna (Steve) Gatz; 24 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; brother Merrill Birkholz; sisters-in-law Ann Birkholz, Elaine (Larry) Heyer; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her first husband Ray Schmieg; parents Awalt and Frieda Birkholz; sister Wilma Nelson; brothers Wilton Birkholz and Virgil Birkholz; brothers-in-law Peter Nelson, Harvey Drusch, Dick Rolf; and sisters-in-law Ramona Birkholz and Lorraine Drusch.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, April 28, 2023 at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake with visitation 1 hour prior to services at the church. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Howard Lake, www.swansonpeterson.com, 320-543-3401
Apr
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