Ruby Hepper, age 92 of Garrison, ND, formerly of Washburn, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 27, 2009 at the Garrison Memorial Hospital.

Funeral Services: 2:00 PM Monday, August 31, 2009;
Washburn United Methodist Church;
Rev. Marvin Winstryg, officiating

Interment: Riverview Cemetery – Washburn;

Visitation: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM Sunday at Goetz Funeral Home in Washburn;
Monday, one hour prior to time of service at the church.

Ruby was born July 15, 1917 in Malta, MT an identical twin to her sister (Ruth) to Emanuel & Louise Keck. The Keck family moved to Washburn, ND when Ruby was very young. She attended school and graduated from Washburn High School in 1936. On July 11, 1936, she was united in marriage to Albert Hepper in Washburn. In 1937, she and Albert moved to Boise, ID where they resided for three years. They returned to Washburn and raised two daughters and a son. Ruby was baptized in the Washburn Baptist Church on March 3, 1957. She and Albert later moved to Canby, MN where they joined the local Presbyterian Church in 1968. During their retirement years they lived in Apache Junction, AZ until moving back to Washburn in 1989. Albert passed away in August 1991. Ruby became a member of the Washburn United Methodist Church in December 1991. She moved to the McLean Manor in Garrison, ND and in 2003 became a resident of the Garrison Memorial Hospital swing-bed unit. She enjoyed playing cards and board games, especially "Scrabble". Ruby enjoyed herself to the fullest and will be remembered for winning life's lottery.

Those grateful to have shared in her life include her two daughters, Ardeth Denault of Washburn and JoAnn (Glen) Lelm of Harvey, ND; 10 grandchildren, Gene Rothmann, Robin Leingang, Cindy Leidholm, Diane Krzmarzick, Jim Lelm, Jodi Helm, Jackie Magilke, Dean Ritz, Kelly Mathis, & Tracy Messer; 14 great grandchildren & 7 great -great grandchildren; two sisters, Betty Freborg of Bemidji, MN & Mavis Freborg of Underwood; four sisters–in-law, Dorothy Keck of Escondido, CA, Elsie Walker of Bismarck, Emma Schuler of Mandan, & Ileen Sieler of Menoken, ND; one brother-in-law, David Schuler of Devils Lake, ND; and many nieces & nephews.

Ruby was preceded in death by her husband (Albert), son (Larry), grandson (Allan), two sons-in-law (Melvin Rothmann & Joe Denault).