Slektshistorie - Våre familier

Ruby I. Menzel, 79, of Sioux Falls, died on Thursday, September 22, 2005, at Sioux Valley Hospital, Sioux Falls, SD, after a brief illness.
Ruby I. Lyster, daughter of Iver and Nellie (Rust) Lyster, was born on November 8, 1925, in Langford, SD. She grew up in Langford and received her education there, graduating from high school in 1943. She then moved to Brookings, SD, and attended college at South Dakota State University, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Home Economics. It was there that she met Lewis Menzel at a Bunny Ballroom dance.

Ruby was united in marriage with Lewis Menzel on June 30, 1948, in Langford, SD. Ruby worked at SDSU in the Journalism Department while Lewis finished school. The couple then moved to Arlington, SD, where Ruby taught school in Volga, SD. Her husband obtained a position as the Superintendent of Schools in Parker, SD, so the couple moved there and began to raise a family. In 1958, they moved to Sioux Falls, SD, where Ruby was a loving homemaker. In 1966, she began a career at Lutheran Social Services as a bookkeeper in the financial department. She remained there for 21 years until retiring in 1987. Having a giving spirit, Ruby volunteered after retirement, working at Project Car and serving as a “taxi” for many of her friends.

Ruby’s husband, Lewis, passed away in 1988. After his death, Ruby honored his memory by serving as administrator of the Lewis J. Menzel Scholarship, established in his memory.

Ruby was an active member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, being a past choir and Circle member, and playing the organ at Our Savior’s and Hope Lutheran Church. She was also a member of the Eastern Star, the Moose Lodge, a past member of faculty wives, the South Dakota State Alumni Association, the South Dakota Symphony, and the Washington Pavilion.

A sociable woman, Ruby enjoyed playing mahjong, pitch, bridge, and doing water aerobics. She and her husband spent time dancing and going camping as an excuse to play cards even more. She had a passion for music and encouraged all of her children to learn the piano and other instruments. She enjoyed traveling the country in their motor home to visit the family, and would continue that love later by observing her grandchildren at all of their events. Ruby was a caring, kind, and gracious woman who took time to help others in any way she could.

Grateful for having shared her life are three daughters, Dr. Linda Menzel, her children Rachèle, Lewis and Robyn, Rio Rancho, NM; Sandi Mangan, her husband Marty, and their children Meredith and Andrew, Palm Springs, CA; Cynthia Menzel, her children Casey, Brian, ReNae, and Molly, Topeka, KS; a son, Rich Menzel, his wife Julie, and their children Kyle and Kelsey, Lambertville, MI; her sister-in-law Flora Lee and family, Spearfish, SD; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Ruby was preceded in death by her husband Lewis; her parents; a brother, Erwin Suther; and a stepfather, Emil Sanders.