Remembering Ruby Johnson

Ruby Johnson, retired clerk with Duplicating Services, died Sept. 15, 2013, at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Judy and  Dick Yuric in Golden Valley Ariz.  She was 85.

Ruby May Johnson was born at home on May 13, 1928, to Carolina (Thomasson) and Oscar Dearinger. She was the oldest of 10 brothers and sisters, and thus became “the one to go to” in their time of need. On October 22, 1946, she married Davis J. Johnson in Cavalier, N.D. They had two children, Johnny Howard and Judy Ellen.

She worked hard all of her life, starting with the potato fields. After becoming valedictorian of her high school class, Ruby moved into bookkeeping. For many years she was the bookkeeper for Soeby Motors in Walhalla. After moving to Grand Forks in December 1956 for her husband’s job with the railroad, Ruby became the bookkeeper and later the office manager of F.W. Woolworths Co. dime store. Upon the store’s closing, she moved on to the University of North Dakota, where she worked from 1979 as a clerk in Duplicating Services.  She retired in 1993. After the flood of 1997 destroyed their home, Ruby and Davis moved back to their home roots in Walhalla to enjoy family and end their lives where it all began.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband; son, Johnny; step-son, Joseph Johnson; step-daughter, Doris Bigus; brother, Alvin Dearinger; and brothers-in-law, Clare Denault and Bryl Ducioame.

Left to mourn her loss are her daughter, Judy (Dick) Yuric, Golden Valley, AZ; step-son, Victor L Johnson, Rush City, MN; step-daughter, Emily (Don) Bass, Grand Forks; brothers: Elmer (Susie) Dearinger, Robert (Linda) Dearinger, and Gary (Patty) Dearinger all of Walhalla; sisters: Eileen Ducioame, Ida (Wally) Melsted, of Walhalla, Dorothy Denault, Gary, In, Leona (Ron) Fuller, Sterling Co, and Margie (Billy) Letexier, Backoo, ND. She also leaves a multitude of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and so many friends that considered her family, (including a few dogs that will miss her greatly). Her thought was, work hard, care for family, and be kind to everyone.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, Sept. 26, at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Boniface Catholic Church, Walhalla. Visitation will be held at the church on Wednesday, Sept. 25 from 5 to 7:00 p.m., with a 7 p.m. vigil service in the church. Burial will be held in the St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery.

Online guestbook at www.askewfuneralhome.com.