Moorhead – Ruby Elaine Nygard left for heaven at the age of 99 on October 8, 2024, surrounded by her children, singing “Jesus Loves ‘Us’” (her own version).
Ruby was born to John and Inga “Mabel” Otterson on February 4, 1925 in Scandinavia, WI. She was number seven of nine siblings. Mabel loved her country and anagrams and the first initials of all her children’s names spelled AMERICANS and they were written up in Ripley’s Believe It or Not in 1940.
Ruby, fondly known as “Streebe” by her family and friends, attended school in Scandinavia and was active in athletics club and music. She especially enjoyed singing and playing the alto horn, drums and violin in band and orchestra. She was a fast runner and loved to fish, play ball, ski and was an excellent shot with her 22 rifle! She wrote plays and poetry which her siblings performed in an old barn to raise money for her sister Norma, who had polio. She attended Scandinavian Lutheran Church, and sang in the choir. One day while in choir when she was singing the hymn, “He Took My Place,” she realized that Jesus died for her, and from that time on, her faith in Jesus really grew.
In 1943, after graduating from Union High School in Scandinavia, she worked a number of years at the plywood mill in New London, WI. Ruby and her sister, Edna, moved to Fort Atkinson, WI and worked at BetterSox Knitting Mills making and seaming hosiery. She and Edna bought each other Bibles at the local bookstore, and that began a lifelong study of God’s Word. She used some of her earnings to buy a 1949 Buick Superette and enjoyed a few trips and providing rides for her friends and family.
Ruby met her future husband, Alvin Nygard, while singing in the choir at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fort Atkinson and they were married on January 30, 1954. Their first daughter, Karla, was born a year later. They moved to Seattle, WA where Alvin worked at Boeing and they attended Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. While there, three more girls were added to the family, April, Teresa and Debbie. In 1963 they moved to the farm Alvin grew up on, in Edinburg, ND. Ruby kept very busy on the farm with gardening, haying, canning, driving tractor, raising her girls and making her house a home. She enjoyed making sweet rolls and raspberry jam for her family. She taught her children how to yodel and her daughter, Teresa, especially enjoyed yodeling with her mom in harmony. She was an active member of Odalen Lutheran Church where she was a member of the Ladies’ Aid and also sang duets with Al. In 1966, Al and Ruby welcomed their son, Peter. 1973 brought a move to Thief River Falls, where they lived for more than 43 years. There they farmed and Al and Ruby had an engraving business. They were members of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church and participated in adult Sunday school and other church events. Ruby quietly shared her immense love for Jesus with her family, neighbors, and friends. She was grateful for KFNW Christian radio, and listened for more than 60 years. That and Romans 8:28 got her and her family through some difficult times.
In 2016, due to failing health and memory issues, Ruby and Al moved to Fargo, ND, to be closer to their family. They attended Salem EFC church with their daughters.
Ruby will forever be known for her sense of humor and quick wit. She would bring smiles to many, laughter to the staff and other residents at Beehive Assisted Living where she had lived for 4 years. Due to her Alzheimer’s, Ruby would often ask where she was. We would tell her that she was in Moorhead. She would say, “Where there’s more headroom?” often with a giggle.
Ruby was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin; her parents, Inga “Mabel” and John Otterson; brothers, Milo (Marcella), Clifford (Ruth), Sidney (Janice) Otterson; and sisters, Ann (Don) Stern, Irene (Ray) Wagner, Alice (John) Creely, Edna (Woodrow) Latsch, and Norma Otterson.
She is survived by her daughters, Karla of Park River, ND, April of Moorhead, Teresa of Fargo, ND, Debbie (Ryan) Ulstad of Madison; and son, Peter (Lisa) of Maple Grove; grandchildren, Matthew (Abbie) Ulstad, Rachel (Jordan) Clark, Rebekah Nygard, Ruth Nygard, and Hannah Nygard; great-grandchildren, Oslo and Bergen Ulstad and Emmeline Clark; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.
We are extremely grateful to all who have supported Ruby and our family: Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church congregation, Thief River Falls, who have prayed for Ruby every Sunday, Beehive Homes of Moorhead for the great care she received the last four years as well as Hospice of the RRV and Salem.
Memorials may be given to a charity of your choice or Our Saviour’s, KFNW, or Salem.
Visitation will be from 1-2 p.m., followed by a celebration of life at 2 p.m., Friday, October 18, 2024, at Salem EFC – Moorhead Campus.
Burial will be 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at Odalen Lutheran Church Cemetery near Edinburg, N.D.
Arrangements by Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center in Fargo.