Ruby S. Lestrud Obituary (1921 - 2010)

Ruby S. Lestrud, age 89, of Menomonie, WI passed away Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010 at her home. The former Ruby Galstad was born in St. James, Minnesota, on January 20, 1921, to Elias and Mina (Tande) Galstad. She was raised on the family dairy farm near many doting aunts and uncles. After Ruby graduated from high school, the family moved to Northfield, Minnesota, so Ruby could attend St. Olaf College where she majored in music and biology. She played tenor saxophone in the St. Olaf Band and enjoyed the concerts and touring the band did. Ruby met and fell in love with another student, Elmore Lestrud. They were introduced by Elmore's 5 year old nephew, Orville Hendrickson, who served as ring bearer when they married on August 26, 1942, in a beautiful little chapel at St. Olaf. Ruby and Elmore moved to the Lestrud family farm between Menomonie and Colfax where they ran the dairy farm and raised two children, Kenneth and Karolynn. Ruby and Elmore joined Our Savior's Lutheran Church in 1942, where Ruby was an active member until her death last week. Besides church work, dairy farming, vegetable and flower gardening, Ruby was active in 4-H, Homemakers, church work and snowmobiling. She was especially thrilled when grandchildren, Mandy, Andrew and Sarah joined the family. In addition to farm and volunteer work, Ruby loved to travel and took many cruises with family members. She and Elmore also loved to take long car trips out West. In 2008, Ruby and her cherished cat, Zorra, moved to White Pine Village where they made new friends and enjoyed life in town. She continued to be an active member of Our Savior's. Ruby was preceded in death by her husband Elmore and her nephew Ellwyn Hendrickson. She is survived by her son, Kenneth, his wife Mary and their children, Andrew and Mandy (Shane) Kassa, and by her daughter Karolynn, her husband Jim Steinberg and their daughter Sarah, and by many nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 22, 2010 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Menomonie, with Pastor Kurt Larson officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Menomonie. There will be visitation from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Sunday at Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie and at the church one hour prior to the service on Monday.