Ruby Alice Peterson, 95 of Rochester, Minnesota went to be with her Lord on Saturday, August 22, 2020, at Cottagewood Senior Communities.
Ruby was born on August 11, 1925 in Badger, Minnesota to Charles Peterson and Hilda Meyer. Ruby attended school in Egeland until she met and later united in marriage with Alfred Edward Odegaard on December 28, 1943. The Odegaard’s had three beautiful children Shirley Sharleene Malecha, Randall Peter Odegaard, and Charles Edward Odegaard who passed from crib death. Ruby and Alfred raised their family in Egeland, North Dakota while serving their community as owners of a local merchant’s store for ten years. Several years later the Odegaard’s relocated their family to Rochester, Minnesota due to Alfred’s sudden illness and needed care from the Mayo Clinic. They shared many great years together and later divorced. Ruby then spent many years in retail employed at Massey’s, Woolworth’s, and Kersten’s Furs and other retail merchants.
Ruby enjoyed going to the casino, making crafts and Christmas trees out of old jewelry, playing her harmonica, dancing to polka music, spending time with friends, enjoying her family, grandchildren and great grandchildren, but most all spending time with Christ her savior. Ruby was a member of Rochester Baptist Church and enjoyed spending time with her sisters and brothers in Christ whenever she was able to do so.
Ms. Peterson is preceded in death by her parents, Charles Peterson and Hilda Meyer; sister, Millie Martin; sons, Randall Peter Odegaard and Charles Edward Odegaard; Alfred Edward Odegaard; son in law, Robert Leo Malecha; father and mother in law, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Odegaard; and niece, Paulette Hamdam.
Ruby was blessed to have 7 grandchildren, Tonja Sue Odegaard of Zumbrota, Minnesota, Michelle Miller of Stewartville, Minnesota, Melissa Odegaard, Chad Odegaard, Amber Odegaard, Michael Odegaard, and Terri Payne of Ohio; twelve great grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; 8 beautiful nieces and 1 nephew; special friend, Brenda Petru; and special friend, Loren Van Rosendale of Tioga, North Dakota.
The family wishes to thank our sisters and brothers in Christ at Rochester Baptist Church for all their prayers during our mother and grandmother’s illness, as well as Cottagewood Senior Communities for their loving care throughout her stay and a big thank you to Mayo Hospice for their loving care for the last two weeks of her journey.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2020 at Rochester Baptist Church located at 420 11th Ave NE in Rochester, Minnesota 55906. There will be a 10:00 a.m. visitation, with service to follow at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Donald Noonan officiating.
Gramma Ruby will be greatly missed… In addition to her beautiful family mentioned above, she had such a loving heart, she “adopted” a couple of other granddaughters along the way. We had lots of fun together and not very many people can say that their Gramma dated Santa Claus! May she forever rest in sweet peace, we will love you forever and a day!
Grandma Ruby was such a amazing woman and grandma to me and my children.Her funny wit and compassion are what I will miss the most.She was such a joy to be around.Even towards the end of her journey,her compassion for people and funny wit would come out.I saw grandma for the last time about a month ago.We visited through the window,and Iike always when she saw me,she greeted me with the words “Oh Shelly”The love we shared was amazing.I will cherish my memories of us forever.Until we meet again Grandma,I love you!❤
The light and the happiness that my great grandma brought to all of ours lives will forever be missed and cherished. She was a beautiful woman and an incredible grandmother, but most of all she was the strongest human I’ve ever met. Her ability to interact with her family and friends at 95 was miraculous and that all I could’ve asked for. When we’d visit her we would say “Oh grandma ruby you’re going to out live all of us” and it’s something we really did believe. She was an absolute trooper and the purist soul, she is missed every second of every day. I miss her hugs, her wit, her laugh, and I miss just being able to see her smile. I love you, Grandma. I know you’re in a better place with the people you love.
When I think of my grandmother, I think of love, kindness, strength, beauty, humor, glamor, and a love for the Lord. She raised her family to love others, to never judge or hold a grudge and to love the Lord with all your heart and soul and I am proud to continue that tradition until I join her in heaven. I have many memories of her over the years, but my one of my fondness ones is when she was in the hospital a few months ago recovering from her broken femur and the director of activities came to see her and asked her if she wanted to sing a hymn. Grandma lit up like a Christmas tree at the chance to sing. (i.e. she loved to sing to the Lord), she was singing and noticed that me and Brenda my best friend were not singing, she abruptly stopped and peeked over her shoulder and snapped her finger and said “Girls, sing” and we got off the sofa and joined her at her bedside and sang with her. It was beautiful just like her. Grandma, thank you for loving me like you did, thank you for giving me the love of the lord in my heart, thank you for joining me in church, thank you for being who you were to mom and me. You are in God’s hands now and forever and I can’t wait to join you there. I love you beyond words.. Until the Lord brings me home. I love you, Tootie.
My grandma Ruby was the most joyful, caring, and sweet lady I have ever met. She had a heart of gold. She made us laugh with everything she said and she was the cutest little thing. I love you forever and always grandma. I hope you continue to put smiles on people’s faces in heaven ❤️ you will always have a super special place in my heart.
To Ruby’s family. I loved Ruby as I lived at Fontaine Towers with her. She always made me smile and laugh with her wonderful outgoing laugh and personality. I still have a beautiful candy dish she gave me and a necklace. She liked talking about her family, especially Randy and his dog. And boy could she rock out with playing her harmonica! She will be missed but her memories to me will be forever! Gteat lady and friend!
Love forever and will see you again some day my dear!
Doris Heisner
To a wonderful woman, full of love and light. It was a joy to know Ruby, who cared about so many and complained so little. I personally got to spend sometime with Ruby a few times close to her journey to heaven. we just talked with her through the window a few weeks ago for the last time, even though she looked sad” all she talked about was how much she loved and missed her grand children and especially her grand daughter Michelle who she had such a special connection with. I was blessed to personally witness that connection a few times. She talked about how she so missed going to church and feeling the sun on her skin. For the last five minutes that day she recalled memories and talked so highly of her son Randy who she missed so much. It was such a good visit all and all even through the window. Hearing her talk about and remember Randy’s children and Michelle’s children plus all the other special people that held a big part of her heart was her last gift to us. Ruby we know you will be missed by all the people you’ve touched with your kindness and wit. We know you are full of happiness again in heaven. It was a complete pleasure and such a gift to know you.
I found this in moms things, I wrote that for her 0n January1st of 2004.
MY MOTHER
WHEN PICKING OUT MOTHERS
THEY REALLY KNEW
IT WAS THIS ONE, NOT THE OTHERS
THAT WOULD REALLY DO
MY MOM IS ONE OF A KIND
FOR MANY MANY REASONS
HERE ARE A FEW I HAVE IN MIND
GENTLE AND LOVING
RESPECTFUL AND KIND
COURTEOUS AND GIVING
HONEST AND DIVINE
CARING FOR OTHERS
IS A TRAIT OF MOMS
FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND OTHERS
LIKED BY EVERYONE
THATS MY MOTHER
THEIR IS ONLY ONE
NOT ANOTHER
MOM, YOU WERE A VERY SPECIAL LADY, MOTHER, AND GRANDMOTHER. WITH COVID, I COULDN’T COME AND SEE YOU, BUT I HAD THE PLEASURE OF TALKING TO YOU AND
SEEING YOU ON FACETIME. I ENJOYED COMING OUT TO SEE YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS. PLAYING BINGO, GOING TO PICNICS, HAVING LUNCH AND DINNER, AND GOING TO THE CASINO. MOM, I HAVE SUCH A PEACEFUL FEELING OF KNOWING WHERE YOU ARE. UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN IN HEAVEN. I MISS YOU SO MUCH ALREADY.
YOUR FAVORITE DAUGHTER,
SHIRL
SHIRLEYSHARLEENE1945@GMAIL.COM
The Lord has one more My Aunt Ruby was the best Aunt you could have asked for she was funny,loving,forgiving, sense of humor, caring, witty, telling jokes and most of all she loved to hug us. We have so many memories of her. When she lived at Tioga,ND and at Williston, ND. Her and OB (my significant other) had quite a thing together. He would tell her to build a bridge get over it. It was a joke between them. At first she didn’t understand it but when she figured it out it was always spoke of even the last day we talked to her which was July 29th my sister Louetta’s 80th birthday. Every time I visited Louetta or talked to her on the phone she would ask how’s Aunt Ruby doing and we would try to call her. She will be so missed. My son (Scott) and I saw Aunt Ruby in November. Im so glad I was able to see her. The worse thing of all we were on the way to see her when I got the call. She (Aunt Ruby) was the greatest. OB’s memory of her was one of the first time he meant her he asked her if she remembered the song that had the phrase in it figuring she old enough to know he said to her joking with her ooga ooga mooska and she started singing it. Ooga ooga mooska which means I love you if you’ll be my baby I’ll ooga ooga mooska you. Every time he saw her they would respond ooga ooga mooska. She had such a great sense of humor. Im not sure if I ever saw her down in the dumps. If she was she would never let it be seen. I will miss her but I will and hope to see her someday. She is with my Mom, and sister Paulette and most of all the Lord. Rest in peace
My dear aunt Ruby, today we say good bye to you, I have so many things I have thought about of you but now to put them down on paper is the hard part. I remember all the times being at your store in Egeland and how sad we all were when you moved so far away. Every year I plant pansies for you as they are your favorite flower. I still have the chenille bedspread you gave me when you moved back to Rochester, it is tattered and worn(like me)but it is still something I have from you. I am so glad I got to see you when Randy passed away. You were your same chipper self even though it was a sad time. When you get to heaven tell mom, and dad and Paulette how much I still love and miss them Big hug for all. RIP Aunt Ruby.