Ruby (Mrs. Glen) Ritterbusch, age 95, formerly of Pierre, SD, passed away on October 16, 2014 in Sheridan, WY, where she had lived the last two years.
Ruby Ritterbusch was born on May 10, 1919 to John D and Hazel Nesbit Kleinjan near Sinai, South Dakota. The family soon moved north of Volga, SD, where she attended the Renshaw rural school, the same school her mother attended. Ruby graduated from Volga high school in 1937.
She attended Yankton College and earned an associate degree and teaching certificate in 1939. She taught school for three years at Elgin and Spencer, Nebraska. On December 26, 1941 Ruby was united in marriage to Glen Ritterbusch at the Trinity Presbyterian Church at Volga.
After Glen's discharge from the armed services in 1947, Ruby and Glen made their home in Sioux Falls and then in Mitchell until 1967. Later they lived in South Sioux City, NE, Casper, WY and Libby, MT before moving to Pierre, SD in November 1979.
In Mitchell they were charter members of Conservative Baptist church, now called Northridge Baptist. Glen and Ruby celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary in 1991.
At age 53 Ruby earned a nursing degree at Casper, WY, became a registered nurse and worked 12 years in hospitals in Casper, Libby, MT and Pierre, SD.
Ruby was a charter member of the Community Bible Church in Pierre, SD. She served as church pianist, organist and Sunday school teacher. She was a 20 year member of home extension clubs, was a 4-H leader and active in PTA while living in Mitchell and South Sioux City, NE. She loved to plant and tend to a garden. She was an avid reader and had a keen interest in world affairs.
Ruby took an interest in sports and admired prominent coaches and athletes who took a stand for their Christian faith, an attribute that she too possessed. She valued her many friends and their support. She took special interest in the lives and activities of her grandchildren and great grandchildren by making a special effort to visit and encourage them.
Ruby is survived by three daughters and a son: Ruth (Glen) Rosenberger, Sellersville, PA; Mary (Dick) Schmidt, Punta Gorda, FL; Lois (Wesley) Tschetter, Brookings, SD; and John (Penny) Ritterbusch, Sheridan, WY; eleven grandchildren: Dawn Rosenberger (Andy) Dant; Lisa Rosenberger (Colin) Tuggle; Cara Rosenberger (Fred) Krikory, Murray (Shelly) Pickard, Laura Pickard (Piper) Carter, Nicole Ritterbusch (Cayce) Gates, Paul (Krista) Tschetter, Jane Tschetter (Chris) Lucas, Emily Tschetter (Ryan) Willett, Grant Ritterbusch and Reed Ritterbusch; nine great grandchildren; and one brother Gene (Lois) Kleinjan, Bruce, SD , one brother in law Earl Sapp, Brookings, SD, and three sisters in-law: Adriana Kleinjan, Volga, Lavina Mannerud and Amy Crow.
Preceding her in death was her husband Glen on December 10, 1996, her son David (1983) and his wife Barbara (1992); her parents, brother and sister in law Lester and Sadie Kleinjan, brother Wilbur Kleinjan and sister and brother in law Marie and Art Anderson, sister Mildred (Earl) Sapp and brother in law Erwin Mannerud.
The family requests memorials be directed to the Gideons.