Ruby Book Launderville Lorenzen was born March 22, 1929, to Vince and Helga (Jensen) Book. She was born at their home on a farm near Harlan, Iowa. She was baptized in the Lutheran Church in Harlan and confirmed in the Lutheran Church in Manning, Iowa. Ruby attended the Lincoln No. 3 country school near Manning when younger and then graduated in 1946 from Gray High School in Gray, Iowa. Ruby met Jim Launderville at the Five Mile House at a dance. They fell in love and got married in the St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Audubon, Iowa in 1949; she joined the Catholic religion at that time. Ruby and Jim were blessed with nine children: Clarence, Constance, Kenneth, Ruth, George, Elizabeth, Marjorie, Mary, and Ann. They raised and baptized their children in the St. Ann's Catholic Church in Vail, Iowa and lived on a farm south of Vail where they farmed, raised livestock and were honored as Farm Family of the Year. Ruby faced several tragedies in her life: losing some of her loving children, having a tornado take most of the acreage, and a fire that took their barn. She always stayed strong through it all and continued on with a smile and her faith.

Ruby was a member of several clubs over the years including Good Time Club of Vail, Ladies Guilds of St. Ann's and St. Martins, St. Ann's church choir, Odebolt Nursing Home Auxiliary, and not to forget the rosary club around the "farm grotto." In 1983, they sold the acreage and moved to Odebolt. Ruby was a wonderful, mother, wife and took tender loving care of her husband Jim until his passing in 1990. Ruby spent hours as a wonderful grandma to her grandchildren, and worked part time at Odebolt-Arthur School. She married Matt Lorenzen in 1993 and he passed away in 1999.

Ruby was a wonderful mother to her children and was always there for them when they needed her. She enjoyed baking and was known for her pies, cakes, donuts, and especially her homemade bread. She spent lots of time canning fruits and vegetables. We will always remember her plum jelly on her warm homemade bread. Everyone always remembered Ruby keeping the door to the family farm open, the oven on, and a cozy bed off the front parlor for all relatives and friends to stay. Last but not least, we will always remember her picnics at the farm every Memorial Day. We will always remember Ruby playing cards, dancing, and riding on a bus to the casino. She always kept in touch with all her friends, family, and relatives (with even the new technology of the cell phone). We will miss her very much and will love her always.

Ruby passed away on Tuesday, April 24, 2012, at Horn Memorial Hospital in Ida Grove. Survivors include her daughters: Ruth (Gary) Wulf of Odebolt, Marj (Jack) Henrich of Odebolt, Mary (Roger) Sorensen of Odebolt, and Annie (Marc) Knudsen of Ida Grove; grandchildren: Keith (Sarah) and Kyle (Cinnamon) Wulf; Justin, Jay (Marcy), Jacob, and Jon Henrich; Mitch Sorensen; Miranda, Marty, and Mathew Knudsen; and Janet (Charlie) Whiteing and Jamie Rusch; great-grandchildren: Kolby, Karter and Molly Wulf, Andrew, Alaric, and Aiden Whiteing and one great-grandchild on the way. Other survivors include her siblings: Lloyd (Karen) Book of Denison, Pearl Tosone of Portland, Oregon, and Ron (Monica) Book of Meridian, Idaho; many nieces, nephews and extended family members.

Ruby was preceded in death by her parents, both husbands; children: Clarence, Connie Rusch, Kenny, George and Elizabeth; granddaughter Melissa Sorensen; and siblings: Virgil, Opal, Garnet and Sheldon; and special friend Leon Huffman.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be held at 10:30am, Friday, April 27th at St. Martin's Catholic Church in Odebolt. Visitation is from 5-7:30 pm, Thursday, with a vigil and rosary at 7:30 at the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home in Odebolt. Burial will be at St. Ann's Catholic Cemetery in Vail, Iowa, under the direction of the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home.