Ruby Marie (Ford) Linnens was born Aug. 18, 1919, in rural Marion County to Clee and Tressie (Blankley) Ford.
During her childhood, she was joined by her brothers, Jerome, Dalphas, William, and Leslie, and her sisters, Fern and Elizabeth.
Ruby received her eighth-grade diploma from New Hope Grade School, Aulne, where she then ended her education to help with the family farm.
On Dec. 10, 1939, Ruby Marie Ford and Boyd Wilson Linnens were united in marriage. To this union, a daughter, Marilyn Ann, was born on Sept. 30, 1942. After raising her daughter, Ruby continued to be a homemaker and eventually found her calling as “mom” and “grandma” to many, and she began baby-sitting in the community for many families for more than 30 years.
Ruby was also actively involved in many organizations through her church, Valley United Methodist Church in Marion, and senior center organizations, but she cherished her time as a “Singing Granny.” “The Grannies,” as they were called, were a group of women that performed for various events and organizations by singing old-time favorite songs. Another favorite pastime was playing bingo.
She continued being a lifetime resident of Marion, moving to Hilltop Manor. In 2001, she moved to Alterra Sterling House in McPherson to be closer to her daughter. In January 2009, she made her final move to Schowalter Villa in Hesston. She was called home to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, Aug. 12, 2011.
Ruby was preceded in death by her husband, Boyd Linnens; her daughter, Marilyn Klassen; her brothers Jerome, William, Dalphas, and Leslie Ford; granddaughter, Patricia Klassen; and son-in-law, Verlan Klassen.
She is survived by her grandson, Kevin Klassen of Wichita; her granddaughter Brenda and her husband Bobby Jaso of Hesston; two great-grandchildren, Tyler Jaso and Lindsay Jaso of Hesston; her sisters, Fern Timm of Herington and Elizabeth Koegeboehn of Council Grove; a sister-in-law, Doris Ford of Marion; and a host of other family members and friends.
Funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 15, 2011, at Valley United Methodist Church in Marion. Interment was in the Marion Cemetery. Memorial funds have been established for Good Shepherd Hospice and Schowalter Villa in care of Zeiner Funeral Home, Marion.