Ruby Kallsen

Ruby Kallsen (1917 - 2013)

Mom (Grandma Ruby) joined her husband, Louis, and daughters, Kay Kallsen and Barbara Steelman, in heaven on August 21, 2013.

Ruby lived her 96 years with courage, grace, faith, and a wonderful sense of humor. She was born in a small farmhouse just west of Split Rock Creek and just south of Ihlen, Minnesota on June 28, 1917, to Kristina and EG Wilson. Later she would skate to school on that creek.

From the age of six her father and her beloved 'Grammy' along with her four older siblings and infant sister Kelly raised her. At the early age of 14, she began driving the family truck to deliver milk to customers in Ihlen. That began her multifaceted career path with jobs as a census taker, the first woman school bus driver, assistant to the school superintendent, wonderful cook for the field crews, super mom and dedicated wife. She was also the best cookie baker in the world!

In her spare time, she taught the little ones in Sun. School and also served as a Cub Scout Den Mother and 4-H Club Project Leader. As a charter member of the Helping Hands neighborhood ladies group, she was always 'on call' to help a friend, host a shower, or cook for a church gathering.

Ruby married the love of her life, Louis B. Kallsen, days after her 19th birthday. They struggled to buy Louis' father's farm (west of Jasper) during the depression and she eventually paid off the mortgage, much to her delight. When Louis' health prevented him from running the farm, she did that too, while also working for the school district full time and raising successful children.

After retirement, she enjoyed a return visit to Norway, her mother's home, which Ruby had visited with her at the age of 4, in addition to trips to Holland, Germany, Belgium, Hawaii, the Caribbean and many US locations as a most welcome guest of family and friends.

She will be missed tremendously by her sister, Christine Johnson and her brothers-in-law, Les and Loren (Shirley) Kallsen; her children, Jim (Pat) Kallsen of Madison, Wisconsin, Bruce (Becca) Kallsen of Alameda, California, Gene (Pam) Kallsen of Clovis, California; son-in-law, Ron (Iris) Steelman of Woodbury, Minnesota; her grandchildren, Kevin (Jill) Kallsen, Kent (Lisa) Kallsen, Scott (Terri) Kallsen, Sean (Andrea) Kallsen, Tricia (Tad) Swedin, Cari (Greg) Park, Kristen (Justin) Jovle, Leslie Bragg, and Laura Bragg; and many great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

The family would especially like to thank Jan Veltkamp, Marion Matthiesen, Sunrise Village and Assisted Living Center, Edgebrook Care Center, and Pipestone County Hospice for their special care, friendships, and comfort provided to Ruby. Special thanks to Kristin Kallsen and Vince Eckstein for always being there and providing such peace of mind to the rest of her family.

Her family would also like to thank all of you for making her life so enjoyable and special.

Immediately following the services, a celebration of Ruby's incredible life will be held at the church community center. In lieu of flowers, Ruby would enjoy knowing that contributions in her memory were made to Sunrise Village, Jasper, Minnesota; Edgebrook Care Center, Edgerton, Minnesota; or Ihlen Church or Cemetery in care of Jim Vatne.