Ruby Mikelson

Ruby E. Mikelson, loving mother and grandmother, age 89, of Willmar and formerly of the Brainerd area, died Wednesday, December 17, 2014, at Sterling House in Willmar. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, January 10, 2015, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Pequot Lakes. Burial will be in Our Savior's Lutheran Cemetery.

Ruby was born July 27, 1925, near Maynard, Minnesota, the youngest of Fred and Nellie (Stanfield) Ashburn's ten children. She spoke proudly of her childhood on the family farm and the strong work ethic it developed in her.

Ruby married her high school sweetheart and best friend, Dean Mikelson, June 17, 1944, before he was deployed to the South Pacific during WWII. She too, supported the war effort by working as a "Rosie the Riveter," assembling military planes in Detroit, Michigan while also finding time to play on a championship softball team.

During their 54 years of marriage, Ruby and Dean raised five children and ran their own business, first in Sacred Heart and then Granite Falls, Minnesota. She was a dedicated wife and mother who always put her family first. She was an excellent seamstress and cook, who also enjoyed quilting, crocheting, and using her green thumb. Our family is truly grateful for the loving home she created, the support she provided for our many activities and the memorable family times she orchestrated at the cabin in Glenwood. Ruby and Dean shared an adventuresome, well-deserved retirement near Pequot Lakes, Minnesota on Clamshell Lake. Together they met many dear friends, learned to play tennis, joined a snowmobile club, were active members of the Our Savior's Lutheran Church and explored beautiful northern Minnesota. They loved living in the woods! Memories of fun family gatherings at their lake home will be with us forever. Following Dean's death in 1998, Ruby moved to nearby Brainerd where she lived until 2012. During her years up north, she volunteered for several organizations through the RSVP Volunteer Services and participated in the annual lefse making at Our Savior's Lutheran. Spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren brought her great joy. Recently she lived at Sterling House in Willmar, Minnesota near son Tom, his wife, Linda, and daughter, Christine, who took exceptional care of Ruby's every need with true love and kindness.

Ruby is survived by her children: Pam (Mike) Minelli of Richland, Washington, Tom (Linda) Mikelson of Willmar, Minnesota, Peggy (John) Killeen of North Branch, Minnesota; seven grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Dean; two sons: Terry and Tim; and grandson, Adam Mikelson, in 2006.