Ruby Christoffersen

Ruby Arlyne Christoffersen (Holmes) was born on February 3, 1929, to Burton and Ann Holmes in Buck Grove, Iowa. She was the eldest of six children. Ruby grew up on farms in Buck Grove and Manilla and graduated from Denison High School in 1946. She continued her education at the University of Northern Iowa, where she earned a normal teaching certificate.

Ruby taught in country schools for seven years, first near Manilla and later at Jackson No. 6 in Kimballton. It was there that she met Emery Christoffersen, the love of her life. They were married on August 6, 1950, in Manilla, Iowa, and began their married life in Kimballton, where Emery farmed and Ruby continued teaching. Three children were born to this union before the family moved to a farm near Dow City, Iowa, in 1956.

After her children were in school, Ruby returned to teaching and continued her education, graduating from Dana College in Blair, Nebraska. She retired in 1991 after teaching another 29 years. Ruby truly loved teaching and helped shape the lives of many young people. One former country school student would occasionally call to visit and share how much she had meant to him, even during the last week of her life.

In 1995, Ruby and Emery returned to Kimballton to spend their retirement years together. Emery preceded her in death in 2024, following 73½ years of marriage.

Ruby enjoyed gardening, painting, bird watching, sewing, quilting, and family camping trips. Emery’s gift of a doll dressed in a red velvet coat sparked her extensive doll collection. She also had a special fondness for butterflies, hummingbirds, and cardinals, which she lovingly displayed in her home.

The Lord called Ruby home on December 17, 2025, at the age of 96 years, 10 months, and 14 days.

Ruby was preceded in death by her husband, Emery; her son, David; her parents; her sister, Rose Ann; and her brothers, Dale, Dan, and Bud.

She is survived by her daughters, Shirley of Urbandale and Carol (Kevin) Forshier of Redfield; three grandchildren, Adam (Betty) of Cedar Falls, Abbi of Grimes, and Aaron of Redfield; two great-grandchildren, Emma and Bruno; her brother, Tom (Sally) Holmes of Union Grove, Wisconsin; sisters-in-law, Sylvia Christoffersen of Exira and Ardyce Lee of Westminster, Colorado; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Friday, January 9, 2026, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Kimballton. Burial will take place in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Kimballton. Memorials may be directed to the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Kimballton.